LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



Shelf MMt^b" 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

- mi 



A DIGEST 




OF 



MASONIC LAW, 



TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED 



CONSTITUTIONS OF THE GRAND LODGE 
OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



*> 











AUTHORIZED SEPTEMBER 11, 1878. 



PUBLISHED BY THE GRAND LODGE OF MASS. 

1878. 




Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1S7S, by the 

GRAND LODGE OF MASS., 

In the Office of the Librarian at Washington. 



PRESS OF KOCKWEI. L, AND CHURCHILL 
39 ARCH STREET, BOSTON. 



CONTENTS 



Introduction. 

Constitutions. 

Digest of Masonic Law. 

Index to Constitutions. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Craft in Massachusetts have long felt the need of an 
authoritative epitome of the Masonic law of the jurisdiction, a 
compendium, or collation, of the decisions of the Grand Lodge 
and the rulings of its Grand Masters for almost one hundred 
and fifty years. For nearly one-half of that period none of 
the Grand Lodge Proceedings were published. Its Constitu- 
tions were first printed in 1792. Brief circulars are in exist- 
ence, issued in 1801, containing reports of committees; but it 
is believed that the publication of Proceedings was not com- 
menced until 1803. They have been issued annually since, 
with very few exceptions. Until within the last twenty years 
these abstracts have been very meagre and the editions very 
small. The lapse of time, negligence, indifference, and de- 
struction by fire have wrought such sad havoc in our archives 
that not a single complete series of the printed Proceedings 
of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is known to exist. Few 
libraries contain any of earlier date than 1858. Since that 
period the published abstracts of the record have been full 
and very liberally distributed. Nevertheless, comparatively 
few of the Brethren see these reports, fewer still read them, 
and, even when they are preserved, the best-informed Breth- 
ren find it difficult to refer to them for information upon any 
particular subject. 



— 



vi Introduction. 

So pressing became the need of the Fraternity, in this 
respect, that, at the Annual Communication of the M.W. 
Grand Lodge in December last, it was voted that a commit- 
tee be appointed to prepare " a Digest of Masonic Law and 
the Regulations of this Grand Lodge relating to subordinate 
Lodges." The M.W. Grand Master was pleased to appoint 
as such committee the following-named Brethren : — 

R.W. Tracy P. Cheever, Past Grand Warden and President 
of the Board of Commissioners of Trials. 

R.W. William S. Gardner, Past Grand Master. 

R.W. Sereno D. Nickerson, Past Grand Master. 

R.W. Charles Levi Woodbury, Past Deputy Grand Master. 

R.W. William F. Salmon, Past Grand Warden and Chair- 
man of the Committee on By-Laws. 

The principal part of the labor devolving upon this com- 
mittee has been performed by the chairman. He has very 
carefully searched the Records and printed Proceedings of the 
Grand Lodge and prepared a brief abstract, or summary, of 
every decision, or ruling, either of the Grand Lodge, or any 
of its Grand Masters, which was intended to have the force 
of law, provided it was not incorporated in the Constitutions 
or subsequently overruled. He has also diligently studied 
the pages of that treasury of Masonic knowledge, "The Free- 
masons' Monthly Magazine." The long and varied experi- 
ence of the editor, R.W. Charles W. Moore, gave clearness 
and vigor to his opinions, which he supported with the most 
cogent and conclusive reasoning. While elsewhere regarded 



Introduction, vii 

with profound respect, in this jurisdiction- his conclusions 
have long been considered as maxims of Masonic law. 

The principles drawn from the two sources above named 
have been carefully and thoroughly revised by the other 
members of the committee, and can be relied upon as sound 
and of binding authority. As nearly as possible the very 
language of the authority quoted has been retained, the com- 
mittee knowing that in most cases the writers were aware 
that they were making law, and that clearness and precision 
were indispensable. The committee have scrupulously re- 
frained from expressing their own opinions, deeming it their 
duty to present the law as it is, rather than as they might 
think it should be. 

At the Quarterly Communication of the M.W. Grand 
Lodge in September last it was "Voted, That the Digest of 
Masonic Law this day reported by the committee be pub- 
lished by the Grand Lodge, in connection with the revised 
Constitutions, as an authoritative declaration of the law of 
this jurisdiction. " 

The task of the committee has been attended with consid- 
erable labor, and they trust its result may prove acceptable 
and profitable to their Brethren throughout the jurisdiction. 

Boston, October 5, 1878. 



CONSTITUTIONS 



OF THE 



GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



AND 



GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT 
OF THE CRAFT UNDER ITS JURISDICTION. 



Containing the Ame?idments to Sept., i8*]8. 



ACT OF INCORPORATION 



IN THE YEAR ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND 
FIFTY-NINE. 



AN ACT 



TO INCORPORATE THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND MEMBERS 
OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: — 

Section i. — John T. Heard, Grand Master, and his 
associates, the Grand Wardens and Members of the Volun- 
tary Association known as the Grand Lodge of Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons in Massachusetts, and their successors, are 
hereby incorporated, and made a body politic, by the name of 
' 'The Master, Wardens, and Members of the Grand 
Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts," for the purpose of 
managing and administering the charity funds belonging to 
said voluntary association, with power to have a common seal, 
to sue and be sued, to make and ordain, from time to time, 
By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, for the government and 
management of the Corporation, provided the same be not 
repugnant to the Constitution and Laws of the Common- 
wealth ; and that they have all the privileges, and be subject 
to all the liabilities set forth in the forty-fourth chapter of the 



4 Act of Incorporation. 

Revised Statutes, so far as the same are applicable to Corpora- 
tions for charitable purposes. 

Sect. 2. — The said Corporation may take by purchase, 
gift, grant, or otherwise, and hold Real Estate not exceeding 
the value of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars [since increased 
to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars^ and personal estate not 
exceeding the value of Fifty Thousand Dollars. 

Sect. 3. — John T. Heard is hereby authorized to call the 
first meeting of said Corporation, by advertisement in two 
newspapers printed in Boston one week previous thereto, and 
appoint the time and place thereof, at which meeting the 
mode of calling future meetings shall be regulated. 

Sect. a. — This act shall take effect on and after its passage. 



House of Representatives, March 1, 1859. 

Passed to be enacted. 

CHARLES HALE, Speaker. 



In Senate, March 1, 1859. 
Passed to be enacted. 

CHARLES A. PHELPS, President. 

March 1, 1859. 
Approved. 

N. P. BANKS. 



Secretary's Department, Boston, March 2, 1859. 

A true copy. 

Attest, OLIVER WARNER, 

Secretary of the Commonwealth, 



CONSTITUTIONS 



OF THE 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 




PREAMBLE. 

HEREAS, the voluntary association 
known by the title of "The Most 
Worshipful Grand Lodge of An- 
cient, Free, and Accepted Masons 
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,'' 
has obtained and accepted an Act of Incorpora- 
tion from the General Court of Massachusetts, 
dated March I, 1859, with power " to make and 
ordain, from time to time, By-Laws, Rules, and 
Regulations for the government and management 
of the Corporation, provided the same be not 
repugnant to the Constitution and Laws of this 
Commonwealth" : 

Now, therefore, the said Grand Lodge doth 
hereby make, ordain, and promulgate the follow- 
ing as the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of 
the Master, Wardens, and Members of the Grand 
Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. 



Constitutions of the 



i [Part I. 



$art jFtrst* 



ARTICLE I. 



Seal. — Board of Directors. 




Section i. — The seal 
heretofore used by the 
Grand Lodge, when act- 
ing as a voluntary asso- 
ciation, shall be the Seal 
of the Corporation, to be 
kept and used by the 
Recording Grand Secre- 
tary. 

Sect. 2. — The Board of Directors shall be 
composed of the Grand Master and eight other 
members, of whom four, at least, shall be perma- 
nent members of the Grand Lodge, and four may 
be chosen from the members of the subordinate 
Lodges in the Commonwealth, who shall, while 
they are Directors, be members of the Grand 
Lodge. At each Annual Meeting or Communi- 
cation four Directors shall be chosen for two 
years. Vacancies may be filled at any Stated 



Part i.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 7 

Meeting or Communication of the Grand Lodge, 
for an unexpired term. The Board of Directors 
may appoint its own Clerk, who shall be Clerk of 
the Corporation, and shall remain in office until 
his successor is elected and qualified. The Grand 
Master shall be President of the Board, and, in his 
absence, the Deputy Grand Master shall act and 
preside in his place. New members of the Board 
shall enter upon their duties after the annual 
installation of the Grand Master. Meetings of 
said Board shall be called and notified in such 
manner and at such times as it shall determine ; 
and the action of a majority of the Board shall 
be binding; said Board, however, shall be at all 
times subject to the direction of the Corporation. 
In the absence of directions by the Corpora- 
tion, said Board shall have full power to do and 
transact any and all business of the Corporation 
in any way relating to its property, real and 
personal ; but shall not exercise any powers of 
the Grand Lodge not expressly given to it, and 
shall make a full report of its doings at each 
Annual Meeting or Communication of the Grand 
Lodge. 



8 Constitutions of the [Part t. 

ARTICLE II. 

Officers and Members. — Rank and Titles. « 

SECTION i. — The officers and members of the 
Grand Lodge, and their rank and titles, shall be 
as follows : — 

i. M.W. Grand Master. 

2. R.W. Deputy Grand Master. 

3. R.W. Senior Grand Warden. 

4. R.W. Junior Grand Warden. 

5. R.W. Past Grand Masters. 

6. R.W. Past Deputy Grand Masters. 

7. R.W. Past Grand Wardens. 

8. R.W. Grand Treasurer. 

9. R.W. Recording Grand Secretary. 

10. R.W. Corresponding Grand Secretary. 

11. R.W. District Deputy Grand Masters. 

12. W. and Rev. Grand Chaplains. 

13. W. Grand Marshal. 

14. W. Grand Lecturers. 

15. W. Senior Grand Deacon. 

16. W. Junior Grand Deacon. 

17. W. Grand Stewards. 

18. W. Grand Sword-Bearer. 

19. W. Grand Standard-Bearer. 

20. W. Grand Pursuivants. 

21. Bro. Grand Organist. 

22. Bro. Grand Tyler 

All of whom, together with the Worshipful 
Masters, the Senior and Junior Wardens, and 



Fart l] Gra?id Lodge of Massachusetts. 9 

proxies of Lodges, under this jurisdiction, shall 
be entitled to vote as members of the Grand 
Lodge, the Grand Organist and Grand Tyler 
excepted. 



ARTICLE III. 

Time and Place of Communications. 

SECTION i. — The Regular Quarterly Com- 
munications of the Grand Lodge shall be held 
in the city of Boston, on the second Wednesday 
in December, March, June, and September, at 2 
o'clock, P.M. A Communication shall also be 
held annually on the 27th of December, com- 
mencing at 4 o'clock, P.M., or at such earlier hour 
as the Grand Master may direct, for the Installa- 
tion of the Grand Officers, and the celebration of 
the Anniversary of Saint John the Evangelist. 

Sect. 2. — The Communications of the Grand 
Lodge, whether Regular or Special, shall be noti- 
fied by publication in one or more newspapers 
printed in the city of Boston at least one week 
prior to the time appointed for holding such Com- 
munications. Special Communications may be 
called at pleasure by the presiding officer of the 
Corporation. 



i o Constitutions of the [Part i. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Powers of the Grand Lodge. 

SECTION i. — By virtue of the ancient Con- 
stitutions and usages of Freemasonry, the Grand 
Lodge, as the supreme Masonic authority in this 
Commonwealth, is invested with certain original, 
essential, and unalterable powers and privileges. 
Among these is the power of enacting laws and 
regulations for the government of the Craft, and 
of altering, repealing, and abrogating them ; of 
establishing and preserving a uniform system of 
Work and Lectures ; of issuing Dispensations and 
Charters for new Lodges, and of suspending or 
revoking the same for unmasonic conduct, the 
non-observance of the Regulations of the Grand 
Lodge, the non-payment of dues, or other neglect 
of duty. 

Sect. 2. — The Grand Lodge has also the 
inherent power of investigating, regulating, and 
deciding all matters relative to the Craft, or to 
particular Lodges, or to individual Brothers ; 
which power it may exercise either by itself or 
by such delegated authority as, in its wisdom and 
discretion, it may appoint; but in the Grand 
Lodge alone resides the power of revoking the 
Charters of Lodges and expelling or suspending 



Part i.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 1 1 

Brethren from the rights and privileges of Ma- 
sonry. 

ARTICLE V. 

Qualifications of Grand Officers. 

SECTION i. — No Brother shall be eligible to 
the office of Grand Master, Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter, Grand Warden, Grand Treasurer, Recording 
Grand Secretary, Corresponding Grand Secretary, 
or District Deputy Grand Master, unless he be a 
Past Master of a subordinate Lodge, under the 
jurisdiction of some Grand Lodge, or has hereto- 
fore held one of the aforesaid offices in this Grand 
Lodge ; and neither of the officers here specially 
enumerated shall, during his continuance in office, 
be Master or Warden of a subordinate Lodge. 

SECT. 2. — No Brother shall be eligible to an 
office in Grand Lodge except he be a permanent 
member thereof, or a member of a subordinate 
Lodge under this jurisdiction. 



ARTICLE VI. 

Election of Grand Officers. 

SECTION i. — The Grand Master, Grand War- 
dens, Grand Treasurer, and Recording Grand 



1 2 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

Secretary shall be elected by ballot, on the sec- 
ond Wednesday in December, annually; the 
election to commence at 3 o'clock, P.M. Two- 
thirds of the votes collected shall be necessary to 
a choice. * 

SECT. 2. — In case of the death, resignation, or 
declination of any of the above Grand Officers, 
the Grand Lodge may proceed to elect and 
install a successor at any Regular Communica- 
tion after such event. In case of the death, 
resignation, declination, or disability of the 
Grand Treasurer or Recording Grand Secretary, 
the Grand Master may appoint and qualify a 
suitable Brother to act in the office thus vacated, 
until an election by the Grand Lodge. 

SECT. 3. — The Grand Master and Grand War- 
dens shall not be eligible to their respective 
offices for more than three years successively, 
except by unanimous vote of Grand Lodge, taken 
by ballot, at the Annual Meeting, on the question 
of renomination. If the ballot be clear in the 
affirmative, they may again be put in nomination 
for reelection. 

SECT. 4. — All Grand Officers not herein desig- 
nated for election shall be appointed by the Grand 
Master. 

SECT. 5. — In all elections by ballot, every 
member of the Grand Lodge shall be entitled to 






part i.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 1 3 

one vote, and one only, unless he be a representa- 
tive of a subordinate Lodge. A member cannot 
delegate his right of voting to another. 

SECT. 6. — No officer or permanent member of 
the Grand Lodge shall be entitled to more than 
one vote, unless he be also a Master, Warden, or 
Proxy, of a subordinate Lodge under this juris- 
diction. A permanent member, resuming office 
in Grand Lodge, shall be entitled to one vote 
only. 

ARTICLE VII. 

Installation of Grand Officers. 

SECTION i. — The officers of the Grand Lodge 
shall be annually installed on the ensuing Anni- 
versary of Saint John the Evangelist. When that 
festival shall happen on a Saturday, Sunday, or 
Monday, the installation shall take place on the 
following Tuesday. The Grand Master shall be 
installed by his immediate predecessor; or, in his 
absence, by the Senior Past Grand Master present; 
and, in the absence of such Past Grand Master, by 
the Senior Past Master present. 

SECT. 2. — In case the Grand Master elect can- 
not attend at the time appointed for his installa- 
tion, he may be installed by proxy, on signifying 
his acceptance of the office. But such proxy 



14 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

must be a Past Grand Master, or the Senior Past 
Master present. 

SECT. 3. — The Grand Master, if present, shall 
install the elective officers and his Deputy. If 
absent, his proxy shall install the Deputy Grand 
Master, who shall install the remaining officers. 
The appointed officers may be installed by the 
Deputy Grand Master. In the absence of the 
Deputy Grand Master, either of the Grand War- 
dens, the Grand Treasurer, or Recording Grand 
Secretary, they may be installed by proxies, who 
shall be past officers of corresponding rank, or 
Past Masters of subordinate Lodges and members 
of the Grand Lodge. The proxies for all other 
officers, except Grand Chaplain and Tyler, must 
also be members of the Grand Lodge. 

Sect. 4. — The several Grand Officers, previous 
to their installation, shall make the following 
declaration : — 

I solemnly promise, upon the honor of a Mason, 

that, in the office of , I will, according to the 

best of my abilities, strictly comply with the Consti- 
tutions and Regulations of this Grand Lodge, and all 
other ancient Masonic usages, so far as the same shall 
come to my knowledge. 

SECT. 5. — All Grand Officers, when installed, 
shall be proclaimed by the Grand Marshal, and 



Part i.j Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 1 5 

shall retain their stations until their successors are 
duly elected and installed. 

Sect. 6. — No elected officer of the Grand 
Lodge shall act as such until he is duly installed. 



ARTICLE VIII. 

Power and Duty of Grand Officers. 

SECTION i. — The Grand Master enjoys ex 
officio all the powers and prerogatives conferred 
by the ancient Constitutions and the usages and 
landmarks of the Craft. He may convene any 
Lodge within his jurisdiction, preside therein 
(with his officers or otherwise), inspect its pro- 
ceedings, and require its conformity with the reg- 
ulations of the Grand Lodge ; and for dereliction 
of duty, or other unmasonic conduct, he may 
suspend a Brother, or a Lodge, until the ensuing 
meeting of the Grand Lodge, when he shall pre- 
sent the reasons for such suspension in writing. 
He may also grant Dispensations for processions 
and conferring the degrees, and do all such other 
acts and deeds as are warranted or required of him 
by the regulations and the ancient usages of the 
Fraternity. 

Sect. 2. — The Deputy Grand Master shall, in 



1 6 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

the absence of the Grand Master, preside in Grand 
Lodge, and perform such duties, and possess such 
authority, while the Grand Lodge is in session, as 
appertain to the Grand Master ; and in case of the 
inability of the Grand Master to attend, he may 
call Special Communications of the Grand Lodge, 
should the interest of the "Craft, in his opinion, at 
any time require it. He may also, by permission 
of the Grand Master, in writing, call meetings of 
the Grand Officers, and such experienced Brethren 
as they may think proper to invite, for consulta- 
tion o;i matters relative to the Grand Lodge and 
its interests. All such meetings, however, not 
having the approbation of the Grand Master, 
shall be deemed irregular. 

SECT. 3. — In case of the death or resignation 
of the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master 
shall be, ex officio. Grand Master, until a successor 
be chosen. 

Sect. 4. — The Grand Wardens shall assist the 
Grand Master, in the Grand Lodge, and, whenever 
required, shall attend him ; and, while he presides 
in any particular subordinate Lodge, shall act 
there as his Wardens. 

SECT. 5. — In the absence of the Senior Grand 
Warden, the Senior Past Grand Warden present 
shall wear his jewel. In the absence of the Junior 
Grand Warden, the Junior Past Grand Warden 









parti.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 17 

present shall wear his jewel. In the absence of 
all Past Grand Wardens, the Senior Past Master 
present shall act pro tempore. 

Sect. 6. — In the absence of the Grand Master 
and the Deputy Grand Master, the Senior Grand 
Warden shall preside ; and, in his absence, the 
Junior Grand Warden. In the absence of each of 
them, the Past Grand Masters, Deputy Grand 
Masters, and Grand Wardens, according to sen- 
iority; and if no officer of either grade be pres- 
ent, the Senior Past Master shall preside, unless 
he waive his right in favor of another Past Master. 
In either of these cases the presiding officer (un- 
less he be a Past Grand Master) shall wear the 
jewel of the Deputy Grand Master. 

Sect. 7. — The Grand Treasurer shall have the 
charge of the personal property and funds of the 
Grand Lodge ; shall give bonds for the faithful 
discharge of his trust, in such sum and with such 
sureties as the Grand Lodge shall require ; and 
shall from time to time invest all unappropriated 
funds in his hands in such manner as the Board of 
Directors shall direct. He shall receive all moneys 
from the District Deputy Grand Masters, as well 
as all other moneys paid to the Grand Lodge ; 
shall pay all bills passed by the Board of Direc- 
tors ; and shall have in his care all'the regalia not 
entrusted to the Senior Grand Steward, and all 



1 8 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

charters, records, seals, and regalia returned to 
the Grand Lodge. He shall keep an accurate 
account of all money by him received and paid ; 
shall annually render an account thereof, with a 
schedule of the funds of the Grand Lodge, to the 

Board of Directors ; and shall deliver to his sue- 

» 

cessor in office the funds and all other property of 
the Grand Lodge entrusted to his care, taking 
duplicate receipts for the same, one of which 
receipts he shall deposit with the Recording Grand 
Secretary. 

SECT. 8. — The Recording Grand Secretary 
shall give seasonable notice, in a public paper, of 
each Regular Communication of the Grand Lodge ; 
and shall notify, by letter, all officers and perma- 
nent members of the Grand Lodge, together with 
the Master and Wardens of the subordinate Lodges 
through their respective Secretaries. Special 
Communications may be notified in the manner 
above provided. He shall make a correct record 
of all the transactions of the Grand Lodge ; 
receive petitions, applications, and appeals, and 
lay them before the Grand Master; shall fill, 
attest, and affix the Grand Seal to all Warrants, 
Charters, Commissions, and Certificates, by order 
of the Grand Master; and shall keep a list of all 
the Lodges under this jurisdiction, according to 
seniority. He shall present the chairman of every 



parti.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 19 

committee with a copy of the vote of his appoint- 
ment, shall attend all committees, and produce 
such documents as are in his possession, when 
required ; and shall record all reports of com- 
mittees which may be accepted by the Grand 
Lodge. He shall annually, in the month of Jan- 
uary, forward to each member of the Grand Lodge 
one copy, and to each District Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter such number of copies of the edicts and reg- 
ulations of the Grand Lodge, which have been 
passed the preceding year, as the Grand Master 
shall direct, and of all such other transactions of 
the Grand Lodge as may be necessary for the 
information and regulation of the subordinate 
Lodges, in which shall be included a correct list 
of the officers of the Grand Lodge and District 
Deputy Grand Masters for the current year. He 
shall make a transcript of the records in the month 
of September annually, immediately after the 
Communication of the Grand Lodge. 

SECT. 9. — The Corresponding Grand Secretary 
shall, if required by the Grand Master, answer, 
under his direction, any foreign communication 
made to the Grand Lodge ; and when present, if 
desired by the Grand Master, read all such com- 
munications to the Grand Lodge. It shall also 
be his duty, from time to time, to lay before the 
Grand Lodge such matters of Masonic interest as 



20 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

may come to hisknowledge. He shall also be 
the custodian of the original record books of the 
Grand Lodge, receiving from the Recording Grand 
Secretary each volume, as soon as completed, and 
keep the same in some secure place, to be ap- 
proved by the Board of Directors. 

SECT. io. — The District Deputy Grand Mas- 
ters shall visit the Lodges in their respective Dis- 
tricts, and inspect their By-Laws, Records, and 
mode of work, once a year at least, and before 
the last week in November; but, if they deem it 
for the interest of Masonry, they may delegate 
their duties in distant Lodges to some suitable 
Brother. They shall have power to grant Dis- 
pensations for initiation, and, in cases of emer- 
gency, for public processions ; shall communicate 
to the Lodges all edicts and regulations of the 
Grand Lodge, and furnish them with all such 
diplomas as they shall be entitled to ; shall receive 
and receipt for all dues to the Grand Lodge ; 
receive the returns of the Lodges, and make com- 
ments thereon. They shall annually transmit such 
returns, and all moneys in their hands, to the 
Grand Treasurer, on or before the first day of 
December ; and if they shall fail to comply with 
this regulation, unless prevented by sickness, or 
by some other cause beyond their control, they 
shall not be eligible to reappointment. They 



Part i.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 2 1 

shall be reimbursed their necessary expenses in 
visiting the Lodges ; but shall present their ac- 
counts to the Board of Directors for allowance ; 
and each District Deputy Grand Master, on re- 
ceiving from the Grand Treasurer the jewel of his 
office and the records of the District over which 
he is appointed, shall give to the Grand Treasurer 
a receipt in the following form, viz. : — 

Whereas, I, , have been appointed and 

duly commissioned District Deputy Grand Master of 

Massachusetts, for the Masonic District, and 

have received the collar and jewel appertaining to 
said office, and the book of records of said District, 
I hereby promise to return the same, at the expiration 
or revocation of my Commission, to the Treasurer of 
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts ; and, in default 
thereof, I promise to pay on demand, to the order of 
said Treasurer, or his successor, the sum of fifty 
dollars. 

Sect. ii. — Two Grand Chaplains shall be ap- 
pointed by the Grand Master on the day of his 
installation, who shall attend the Communications 
of the Grand Lodge, and perform such clerical 
duties as are suitable to the occasion and as are 
established by the usages of the Fraternity. 

SECT. 12. — The Grand Marshal shall direct the 
organization of the Grand Lodge before it is 



22 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

opened; shall collect from the members and 
petitioners in the Grand Lodge all communica- 
tions, and place them before the Recording Grand 
Secretary; shall introduce visitors, direct the for- 
mation of processions, call the Lodges at every 
Communication, and communicate and execute 
all commands of the Grand Master not otherwise 
provided for. 

Sect. 13. — The Grand Deacons shall commu- 
nicate messages, and attend the Grand Master in 
all processions ; and in the absence of either of 
them the Grand Master shall appoint a member 
to act pro tempore. 

SECT. 14. — Four Grand Stewards shall be 
annually appointed. The Senior Grand Steward 
shall have in his charge all the jewels, clothing, 
and furniture of the Grand Lodge; and at the 
Annual Communication, and previous to the 
choice of officers, shall render an accurate in- 
ventory of everything committed to his care, and 
deliver the same to his successor in office, taking 
duplicate receipts therefor, one of which receipts 
he shall deposit with the Grand Treasurer. He 
shall, with the assistance of his brother Stewards, 
properly distribute the jewels and clothing, and 
collect the same at the closing of the Grand 
Lodge. 

SECT. 15. — The Grand Sword-Bearer shall 



Part i.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 23 

take rank as assistant Grand Marshal, and, in the 
absence of his principal, shall act as his substi- 
tute. 

Sect. 16. — Two Grand Pursuivants shall be 
annually appointed. Their station shall be at the 
inner door of the Grand Lodge ; and, under the 
direction of the Grand Marshal, they shall attend 
to the admission, seating, and proper clothing of 
the officers, members, and visitors. They shall 
also assist the Grand Marshal, and precede in all 
public processions of the Grand Lodge. 

SECT. 17. — Three Past Masters shall be an- 
nually appointed Grand Lecturers, who shall 
exemplify, for the benefit of the Brethren gener- 
ally, the Work and Lectures of the several degrees, 
at such times and in such places as the Grand 
Master shall direct. They shall also impart 
instruction to any Lodge requiring their services, 
— the Lodge paying them a reasonable compen- 
sation therefor. They shall also visit and in- 
struct any Lodge, under this jurisdiction, at the 
expense of the Grand Lodge, whenever it shall 
appear to the satisfaction of the Grand Master 
that said Lodge is unable to bear the expense ; 
and shall report to the Grand Master, in writing, 
whenever they shall discover any deviations, 
either in the Work or Lectures, from the system 
adopted by the Grand Lodge. 



24 Constitutions of the [Part i. 

SECT. 18. — The M.W. Grand Master shall 
annually appoint a Library Committee, who shall 
have sole charge of the Library. 

SECT. 19. — The Grand Tyler shall guard the 
outer door, and see that none enter previously to 
the opening of the Grand Lodge, except the 
officers and members, unless by special permis- 
sion of the Grand Master. 



Part ii.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 25 



Part <&ec0ttU* 



GRAND CHARITY FUND, 



ARTICLE I. 

SECTION i. — The Charity Fund established by 
this Grand Lodge shall be styled " The Charity 
Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts/' and 
shall consist of FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. 

SECT. 2. — The Charity Fund shall be held in 
the name of the Grand Lodge, and shall be under 
the direction of a Board of Trustees ; which 
Board shall be styled " The Trustees of the 
Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- 
setts." 

Sect. 3. — The interest arising annually from 
this fund shall be appropriated, as the Grand 
Lodge shall direct, for the relief of such poor 
and distressed Brethren, their widows and 
orphans, as may be deemed worthy of assistance ; 
but all interest unappropriated at the end of each 
year shall be paid over by the Trustees to the 



26 Constitutions of the |Part n. 

Treasurer of the Grand Lodge. Provided, never- 
theless, That if this fund shall at any time be 
reduced below the sum prescribed in Section I, 
all such unappropriated interest shall be added 
yearly to the principal, until it shall again amount 
to Fifty Thousand Dollars. 



part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 27 



Part Efjirtu 



GENERAL REGULATIONS. 



ARTICLE I. 

Auditi?ig Committee. 



"& 



Section i. — At each Annual Communication 
of the Grand Lodge, an Auditing Committee, 
consisting of three members of the Grand Lodge, 
shali be chosen by ballot, who shall audit the 
accounts of the Treasurer and report to the 
Grand Lodge, at the ensuing Annual Communica- 
tion, and before the election of officers, an account 
of the receipts and expenditures of the preceding 
year, with a statement of all funds in the hands of 
the Grand Treasurer. They shall also, annually, 
in November, examine the Records of the Record- 
ing Grand Secretary, see that they are properly 
kept and accurately transcribed, and report 
thereon at the Annual Communication. 



28 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

ARTICLE II. 

Dispensations and Charters for New Lodges. 

SECTION i. — Dispensations for holding new 
Lodges may be issued by the Grand Master, or 
the Grand Lodge, on the petition of not less than 
seven Master Masons of known skill and good 
standing; provided the petition be countersigned 
by the District Deputy Grand Master within 
whose District the petitioners reside, and recom- 
mended by the Lodge situated nearest to the 
place where the new Lodge is proposed to be 
located. 

Sect. 2. — The fee for such Dispensation shall 
be ten dollars, to be paid to the Grand Treasurer, 
and five dollars to the Recording Grand Secretary ; 
and every Dispensation shall be returned to the 
Grand Lodge, at its Quarterly Communication 
next prior to the expiration of one year from the 
date thereof, together with an attested transcript of 
all the proceedings and of the By-Laws of the 
Lodge working under the same. If these be ap- 
proved by the Grand Lodge, a Charter of Con- 
stitution may be issued to the petitioners, for 
which they shall pay to the Grand Treasurer the 
further sum of fifty dollars, forty-five of which 
shall be for the funds of the Grand Lodge and five 
for the Recording Grand Secretary. 



part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 29 

SECT. 3. — The form of petition for a Dispen- 
sation shall be as follows : — 



To the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient 
Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts : — 

We, the undersigned, being Master Masons in good 
standing, and having the prosperity of the Craft at 
heart, are anxious to exert our best endeavors to pro- 
mote and diffuse the genuine principles of Freemasonry ; 
and, for the convenience of our respective dwellings 
and other good reasons, we are desirous of forming a 

new Lodge, to be named . We, therefore, with 

the approbation of the District Deputy Grand Master, 
and the Lodge nearest our residence, respectfully pray 
for a Dispensation empowering us to meet as a regular 

Lodge at , on the of every month, and there 

to discharge the duties of Ancient York Masonry in a 
constitutional manner, according to the forms of the 
Order and the Laws of the Grand Lodge ; and we 
have nominated and do recommend Brother A B to be 
the first Master, Brother C D to be the first Senior 
Warden, and Brother E F to be the first Junior 
Warden, of the said Lodge. The prayer of this 
petition being granted, we promise strict obedience to 
the commands of the Grand Master and the laws and 
regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

Sect. 4. — Every new Lodge shall be solemnly 
constituted by the Grand Master and his officers, 



30 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

or by some competent Brother especially com- 
missioned by him for the purpose. 1 



ARTICLE III. 

Surrender, Forfeiture ', and Revocation of Charters. 

SECTION i. — Every Charter surrendered to the 
Grand Lodge shall be accompanied with the By- 
Laws, Records, Seal, Regalia, Funds, and other 
property of the Lodge, of every description ; and 
all the property of a Lodge surrendering its 
Charter, with the intention of resuming it, shall be 
held by the Grand Lodge, in trust, until such time 
as the Charter shall be restored, or the intention of 
reclaiming it abandoned. The interest arising 
from said funds and other property shall be made 
a part of the funds of the Grand Lodge, and, in 
case of forfeiture, the principal shall be devoted to 
the same object. No Charter thus deposited shall 
be restored, unless the provisions of this section 
shall have been strictly complied with, nor unless 
seven of the petitioners for its restoration were 

1 The officers of a Lodge working under Dispensation are 
not entitled to seats as representatives in Grand Lodge. " No 
new Lodge is owned, nor their officers admitted into the 
Grand Lodge, unless it be regularly constituted and 
registered." — Vide Ancient Mas. Reg., Art. XII. 



part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 31 

members of the Lodge at the time of its surrender ; 
and the petitioners therefor shall notify the Dis- 
trict Deputy Grand Master of the District, and the 
Lodge nearest to their residence, of their intention 
to petition for such restoration. 

SECT. 2. — Every Charter, when declared for- 
feited, shall be returned to the Grand Lodge, with 
the Records, By-Laws, Seal, Regalia, Funds, and 
other property of the Lodge, of every description : 
and all members of a Lodge who shall refuse to 
make such surrender, or who shall vote to divide 
the funds thereof among themselves, or to appro- 
priate them in any other way than is herein 
designated, shall be liable to expulsion from all 
the rights and privileges of Masonry. 

SECT. 3. — If at any time the Warrant or 
Charter of any Lodge under this jurisdiction shall 
be suspended or cancelled, for irregular or un- 
masonic conduct, the members of said Lodge, at 
the time of its having incurred such penalty, shall 
be disqualified to visit or join any other Lodge, 
without special permission of the Grand Lodge 
obtained on memorial. 

SECT. 4. — Any Mason knowingly assisting at 
the Work of a Lodge whose Warrant or Charter 
has been suspended or cancelled, shall be liable to 
expulsion from the rights and privileges of 
Masonry. 



32 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Trials, Suspensions, and Expulsions. 

SECTION i. — The Grand Master shall annually 
appoint a Board of five members of the Grand 
Lodge, to be styled Commissioners of Trials ; but 
he may in his discretion appoint a Special Board 
of Commissioners for the trial of any given cause. 
All Commissioners shall be Past or Present Mas- 
ters. The first named of said Board shall be the 
President thereof, and three members shall consti- 
tute a quorum. In the absence of the President 
the Board may elect a President pro tempore. 
Whenever a member of a Lodge, or a Brother 
under this jurisdiction, shall be accused of any 
offence, which, if proved, would subject him to ex- 
pulsion or suspension from the rights and privileges 
of Masonry, the proceedings in the premises shall 
be conducted agreeably to the following rules : — 

I. The accusation shall be made in writing, with 
specifications of the offence, under the signature of a 
Master Mason, and, if the accused is a member of any 
Lodge within the jurisdiction, shall be given in charge 
to the Master thereof, who shall summon his Lodge to 
act upon the accusation. If the Lodge by a majority 
vote of its members present determine that the charges 
require investigation, the accusation shall be given in 
charge to the President, or President pro tempore, of 



part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 33 

the Board, who, under direction of the Board, shall 
cause the accused to be served with an attested copy of 
the charges, together with a summons to appear, at a 
time and place to be named in said summons, and 
make such answer to the charges and accusations as he 
may desire. The summons shall be served upon the 
accused fourteen days, at least, before the return day 
thereof. Such appearance may be made in person 
before the President, or President pro tempore, or by 
filing an answer in writing with such President. If 
the residence of the accused be out of the Common- 
wealth, and unknown, the Commissioners may proceed 
to examine the charges and accusation ex parte ; but 
if known and out of the Commonwealth, a summons 
shall be sent him, by mail or otherwise, sixty days, at 
least, before the time appointed for his appearance. 
The service and the return thereof shall be according 
to regulations to be made by the Commissioners, and, 
when so made, shall be conclusive. 

In case of unaffiliated or sojourning Masons the 
accusation made as aforesaid shall be given in charge 
to the President, or President pro tempore, of the 
Board, and, if the Board of Commissioners shall 
determine that the charges require investigation, the 
Board shall thereafter proceed in the same manner as 
above required in the case of an affiliated Mason 
whose Lodge has determined that the charges require 
investigation. 

II. The examination upon the charge and accusa- 
tion shall be had at some convenient place and time, 
to be designated by the Commissioners, of which due 



34 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

notice shall be given, and no visitors shall be ad- 
mitted, except as counsel or witnesses. Unless other- 
wise ordered by the Commissioners, the testimony 
may be taken by the President, or President pro 
tempore, who shall reduce the same to writing, to 
be submitted to the Board. Witnesses, if Masons, 
shall testify on their honor as such. Other witnesses 
shall be duly sworn before their testimony is taken. 

III. Any Brother duly authorized may appear as 
counsel in support of, or in opposition to, the charges 
during the taking of the testimony and in the argu- 
ment of the cause. 

IV. A full record of the proceedings in each case, 
including the testimony taken, the action of the Com- 
missioners thereon, and the sentence, if any, imposed 
upon the accused, to be signed by the Commissioners 
acting in such case, shall be transmitted to the 
Recording Grand Secretary, by him to be placed on 
file and presented to the Grand Lodge at the next 
Quarterly Communication. The action of the Com- 
missioners, including the sentence, if any, imposed 
upon the respondent, if approved, shall stand as the 
judgment of the Grand Lodge. The finding of the 
Commissioners shall be subject to correction or review 
by the Grand Lodge, who may order a new trial, or 
otherwise dispose of the case. 

V. Any Lodge may, notwithstanding the provis- 
ions of this article, proceed to try any Brother, subject 
to its jurisdiction, against wdiom such an accusation as 
is therein contemplated has been made, provided such 
Lodge, by a majority vote, at the next Stated Com- 



Part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 35 

munication after the accusation shall have been pre- 
sented, shall decide in favor of such a trial. In such 
case all the proceedings in respect to service upon the 
respondent, the time, place, and method of trial, 
including the sentence, the record, and the report to 
the Grand Lodge, shall conform to the foregoing 
rules, so far as the same shall be applicable. 

SECT. 2. — Any five members of a Lodge, or 
the District Deputy Grand Master, may impeach 
the Master of said Lodge before the Grand Mas- 
ter, who shall order an investigation of the 
charges ; and if, in his opinion, they are well 
founded and of a character to justify the proceed- 
ing, he may suspend the delinquent and summon 
him to appear for trial before said Commission- 
ers, or such special Commissioners as the Grand 
Master may appoint. The foregoing rules, as far 
as the same shall be practicable, shall be observed 
in the trial of a Master of a Lodge before such 
Commissioners. 

SECT. 3. — The Commissioners shall receive for 
their services, and for necessary expenses in each 
case, such compensation as the Grand Master shall 
determine and allow, upon the certificate of the 
Commissioners. 

SECT. 4. — An expulsion or suspension of a 
Brother from any Masonic Body other than a 
Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such 






36 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

Brother, shall not operate as an expulsion or 
suspension from Masonry, or from the Lodge of 
which he is a member. 

SECT. 5. — No Lodge under this jurisdiction 
shall expel or suspend a member from the rights 
of Masonry. 

Sect. 6. — Forfeiture or suspension of member- 
ship shall not be imposed until the delinquent has 
been duly notified of the time when, and place 
where, action will be taken in his case. If the 
residence of the delinquent is out of the jurisdic- 
tion of this Grand Lodge, or unknown, no notice 
shall be required. 



ARTICLE V. 

Appeal and Restoration. 

SECTION i. — The Grand Lodge, when congre- 
gated, is a representation of every individual 
member of the Fraternity, and necessarily pos- 
sesses a supreme superintending authority, and 
the power of finally deciding on every case which 
concerns the interest of the Craft. Any Brother, 
therefore, who may feel aggrieved by the decision 
of any Lodge, or other Masonic authority, acting 
under this jurisdiction, may appeal to the Grand 
Lodge against such decision. The appeal must 



Part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 37 

be made in writing, specifying the particular 
grievance complained of, and transmitted to the 
Recording Grand Secretary ten days at least 
before the ensuing meeting of the Grand Lodge. 
A notice and copy of the appeal shall also, and 
at the same time, be sent by the appellant to the 
party against whose decision the appeal is made. 

Sect. 2. — Whenever the Grand Lodge shall 
restore to the rights and privileges of Masonry an 
expelled or suspended Brother he shall not 
thereby be restored to membership within the 
Lodge of which he was a member, without its 
unanimous consent. 



ARTICLE VI. 

Committees. — Their Appointment, etc. 

Section i. — All committees, whose election is 
not herein provided for, shall be appointed by the 
Grand Master, or, in his absence, by the presiding 
officer, unless otherwise ordered by the Grand 
Lodge. 

Sect. 2. — No Brother, not a member of the 
Grand Lodge, shall be appointed on any com- 
mittee therein ; but the Grand Master may com- 
mission any Brother, in writing, for a specific 
purpose. 



38 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

Sect. 3. — All committees, chosen or appointed, 
shall report their proceedings, in writing, at the 
next Communication after their appointment. 
The first Brother chosen or appointed shall be 
chairman, and shall furnish each of the committee 
with a copy of the vote of his appointment, as 
received from the Recording Grand Secretary, 
and designate the time and place of meeting. 

Sect. 4. — The expenses of all committees 
shall be paid by the Grand Lodge. 



ARTICLE VII. 

Regalia. — Dress in Grand Lodge, 

SECTION i. — The Jewels of the Grand Officers 
shall be as follows : — 

I. That of the Grand Master the compasses ex- 
tended to 45 , with the segment of a circle at the 
points, and a gold plate included, on which is repre- 
sented an eye, eradiated, with a triangle, also 
eradiated. 

That of the Deputy Grand Master the Compasses 
and Square united, with a five-pointed star in the 
centre. 

Those of the District Deputy Grand Masters, the 
Compasses extended to 45 , with the segment of a 
circle at the points, with a crescent in the centre. 



part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 39 

Senior Grand Warden, the Level. 

Junior Grand Warden, the Plumb. 

Grand Treasurer, a chased Key. 

Recording Grand Secretary, crossed Pens, with a 
tie. 

Corresponding Grand Secretary, crossed Pens, with 
a tie. 

Grand Chaplain, a Book with a Triangle. 

Grand Marshal, crossed Rods. 

Grand Deacons, Dove and Olive Branch. 

Grand Stewards, Cornucopia. 

Grand Sword-Bearer, crossed Swords. 

Grand Standard-Bearer, Banner. 

Grand Pursuivants, a Rod and a Sword crossed. 

Grand Lecturer, open Book upon Square and Com- 
passes. 

Grand Organist, Lyre. 

Grand Tyler, Sword. 

Each Past Grand Master, Past Deputy Grand Mas- 
ter, and Past Grand Warden shall be distinguished by 
the Jewel prescribed for the office he has filled, with 
this difference, that such Jewel shall be fixed within a 
circle or oval of gold or metal gilt. It shall be worn 
over the left breast, pendant to a purple ribbon. 

The Jewel of each Grand Officer, with the excep- 
tion of the District Deputy Grand Masters, shall be 
enclosed within a wreath composed of a sprig of Acacia 
and an ear of Wheat. 

II. The Collars of the Grand Officers shall be 
chains of gold or metal gilt. 



40 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

III. The Apron of the Grand Master shall be of 
white lambskin, lined with purple, ornamented with 
the blazing Sun, embroidered in gold in the centre ; on 
the edging the pomegranate and lotus, with the seven- 
eared wheat at each corner, and also on the fall, — all 
in gold embroidery, the fringe of gold bullion, with 
purple edging and strings. 

The Apron of the Deputy Grand Master shall be of 
the same material and lining, having the emblem of 
his office in gold embroidered in the centre, and the 
pomegranate and lotus alternately embroidered in gold 
on the edging. 

The Aprons of the other Grand Officers shall be of 
white lambskin, lined with purple ; edging three and 
a half inches wide ; with purple strings ; ornamented 
with gold, having the emblems of office, in gold, in 
the centre. 

IV. The Grand Officers shall wear gauntlets of 
purple, with the emblems of office, embroidered in 
gold, within a wreath. 

SECT. 2. — The Apron of a Master Mason shall 
be a plain white lambskin, fourteen inches wide by 
twelve inches deep, outside, with sky-blue lining 
and edging, having three rosettes of the same 
color. No other color shall be allowed, and no 
other ornament shall be worn, except by officers 
and past officers of Lodges, who may have the 
emblems of their offices, in silver, on the Apron. 

Every officer of a subordinate Lodge shall wear 



Part in.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 41 

a blue-velvet Collar, trimmed with silver lace, and 
a silver Jewel. 

The Jewels of a subordinate Lodge shall be as 
follows : — 

That of Past Master the blazing Sun, within the 
Compasses, extended on a Quadrant ; the Master, the 
Square ; Senior Warden, the Level ; Junior Warden, 
the Plumb ; Treasurer, the crossed Keys ; Secretary, 
the crossed Pens ; Chaplain, the Bible, within a circle ; 
Deacons, the Compasses and Square united ; Marshal, 
Baton, in a square ; Stewards, Cornucopia, in a 
circle ; Organist, Lyre, in a circle ; Tyler, crossed 
Swords. 

SECT. 3. — No Brother shall be admitted into 
the Grand Lodge, or any subordinate Lodge, with- 
out his proper clothing, nor shall any officer of the 
Grand Lodge, or representative of a subordinate 
Lodge (proxies excepted), be allowed to vote, 
without his Jewel, unless he offers a satisfactory 
excuse and have permission of the Grand Lodge. 



ARTICLE VIII. 

Lodges of Instruction. 

SECTION i . — Lodges of Instruction may be 
holden in any town or city in the Commonwealth 



42 Constitutions of the [Part in. 

with the permission of the Grand Master, in writ- 
ing; provided, however, that not less than two 
Lodges shall apply for such permission. The 
Brethren to whom such permission is granted shall 
be answerable for the proceedings of such Lodge 
of Instruction, and responsible that the mode of 
working therein adopted has received the sanction 
of the Grand Lodge. 

SECT. 2. — Notice of the times and places of 
meeting of such Lodges of Instruction shall be 
given to the Brethren in the vicinity, w T ho shall be 
at liberty to join the same, subject to such rules, 
regulations, and assessments as maybe agreed upon. 

SECT. 3. — Each Lodge of Instruction shall keep 
a record of its proceedings, and of the names of all 
visiting Brethren present at each meeting, and of 
Brethren appointed to hold office ; and such record 
shall be produced when called for by the Grand 
Master, or by either of the petitioning Lodges. 

SECT. 4. — The Grand Master shall have power 
to suspend or dissolve any Lodge of Instruction, 
when, in his opinion, there shall be sufficient cause 
therefor. 

Sect. 5. — Any Brother, being a member of a 
subordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction, may 
become a member of any Lodge of Instruction in 
this Commonwealth by complying with the regu- 
lations thereof. 



Part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 43 



Part jFourtfj* 



SUBORDINATE LODGES, 



ARTICLE I. 

Powers and Duties. 

SECTION i. — All Lodges under this jurisdic- 
tion have a right to convene as Free and Accepted 
Masons, to receive and enter Apprentices, pass 
Fellow-Crafts, and raise Master Masons, and assess 
fees therefor; to choose officers annually; estab- 
lish funds for charitable purposes, and transact all 
matters appertaining to Masonry, agreeably to 
their Charters, the laws of the Grand Lodge, and 
the ancient usages of the Craft. 

SECT. 2. — The Lodges under this jurisdiction 
shall be formed into Districts by the Grand Master, 
for each of which a District Deputy Grand Master 
shall be annually appointed ; and every Master, or 
presiding officer of a Lodge, when notified of the 
intended official visit of the District Deputy Grand 
Master, shall convene his Lodge, receive him as 



44 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

the representative of the Grand Lodge, resign the 
chair to him while making his official communica- 
tions, submit to his inspection the By-Laws, 
Records, and mode of Work, and deliver to him 
the Return of the Lodge, and the dues to the Grand 
Lodge. 

Sect. 3. — The Lodges under this jurisdiction 
shall make an annual return to their District Dep- 
uty Grand Master, of their officers and members, 
of all candidates initiated, crafted, and raised, 
agreeably to the form established by the Grand 
Lodge ; for which purpose suitable blanks shall be 
furnished. 

Sect. 4. — If any Lodge shall neglect to make 
its returns and payments to the Grand Lodge for 
the space of two years, the Master and Wardens 
of such Lodge shall not be permitted to attend, in 
their official capacity, any Communication of the 
Grand Lodge, until such returns and payments are 
made; and if the delinquency shall continue for 
three years, the Charter, Funds, and Regalia of 
such Lodge may be declared forfeited to the Grand 
Lodge. 

SECT. 5. — No petition for the removal of a 
Lodge from the place in which it is located shall 
be sustained in Grand Lodge, unless said petition 
is sanctioned by the District Deputy Grand Master 
of the District where said Lodge is situated, and 
has the approbation of the Lodge nearest the 



Part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 45 

place where the said Lodge is intended to be held ; 
the same to be signified, in writing, to the Grand 
Lodge ; nor shall any Lodge hold Communica- 
tions unless authorized by the Grand Master, in any 
place other than the one designated in their Char- 
ter, under the penalty of a forfeiture thereof. 

No changes by the Legislature of the Common- 
wealth, of Municipal Corporations, or boundaries 
of the territories thereof, shall be held to affect in 
any way the jurisdiction of Lodges. Lodges 
located by their Charters in particular sections of 
municipalities shall have the same jurisdiction 
therein as if said sections were entire municipali- 
ties, and where the boundaries of such sections are 
uncertain they may be determined by the Grand 
Master. 

Sect. 6. — The majority of the members of any 
Lodge when duly assembled, shall have the right 
to instruct their Master and Wardens as their rep- 
resentatives in the Grand Lodge. 

Sect. 7. — As every warranted Lodge is a con- 
stituent part of the Grand Lodge, in which as- 
sembly all the powers of the Fraternity reside, so 
no other authority can destroy the power granted 
by a Warrant. If, therefore, the majority of any 
Lodge should determine to leave the Institution, 
or leave that Lodge, the Charter and power of 
assembling remain with the members who adhere 
to their allegiance. If the number remaining. 



46 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

shall, however, be reduced to less than seven, the 
Charter shall be returned, agreeably to the regula- 
tion in such cases provided. 

SECT. 8. — If the Master and Wardens of any 
Lodge be summoned to attend the Grand Master, 
the District Deputy Grand Master within whose 
jurisdiction it is located, or any committee au- 
thorized by the Grand Lodge, or to produce the 
Charter, books, papers, or accounts of their 
Lodge, and refuse to comply with said summons, 
or give satisfactory reasons for non-compliance, 
they may be suspended, and the proceedings shall 
be reported to the Grand Lodge; when, in case of 
contumacy, expulsion or revocation of Charter 
shall be the penalty. 

SECT. 9. — All Lodges shall observe the same 
usages and customs. In order to preserve uni- 
formity in work, and to cultivate a good under- 
standing among the Craft, some members of every 
Lodge shall be deputed to visit the other Lodges 
as often as may be convenient ; and the Master 
and Wardens shall qualify themselves in the Work 
and Lectures sanctioned by the Grand Lodge, that 
they may be enabled to instruct their respective 
Lodges. 

SECT. 10. — Each Lodge shall pay annually, 
towards the support of the Grand Lodge, ten 
dollars ; and five dollars for every candidate initi- 



part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 47 

ated ; and shall receive from the Grand Lodge as 
many Diplomas as they may make Master 
Masons. 

ARTICLE II. 

Proxies of Lodges. 

SECTION I. — Every Lodge shall be represented 
at the Communications of the Grand Lodge by 
its Master and Wardens, or by a proxy duly com- 
missioned under the seal of the Lodge, and the 
attestation of the Master and Secretary ; and, that 
there may be no excuse for neglect of this duty, 
each Lodge is authorized to appoint any Master 
Mason of regular standing, not holding office in 
the Grand Lodge, and being a member of said 
Lodge, a proxy, to represent it in the Grand 
Lodge ; and such proxy shall have a right to a seat 
in the Grand Lodge during the Masonic year in 
which he was appointed, and to a vote in the 
absence of the Master and Wardens of the Lodge 
he represents. 

SECT. 2. — Any Lodge under the jurisdiction of 
this Grand Lodge, but established beyond the ter- 
ritorial limits of Massachusetts, may constitute an 
honorary member of such Lodge to act as its 
proxy in Grand Lodge. The letter by which a 
Lodge shall appoint a proxy shall be in form and 
substance as follows,, viz. : — 



48 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts : — 



| SEAL. | 



Master of 



Lodge. 



Be it Known, That Brother 



of , having been chosen by 



the members of Lodge, in 



to represent said Lodge in Grand Lodge 

the ensuing year, I do by these presents, 

in their behalf, constitute and appoint 

him their representative ; for them to 

appear, and upon all subjects relating to the Craft in 

general and to said Lodge in particular, to act and 

decide as fully as though we were personally present. 

Confirming the acts of our beloved Brother, in his 

capacity aforesaid, we pray that he may enjoy all the 

privileges and protection to which we are entitled. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my 

name, and caused the seal of our Lodge to be affixed, 

this day of -, A.L. 58—. 

Attest, 

Secretary, 

SECT. 3. — Every Lodge represented by proxy 
in the Grand Lodge shall issue the commission 
annually. All commissions of proxies shall expire 
with the closing of the Grand Lodge on the festi- 
val of St. John the Evangelist, or the day of instal- 
lation ; and no Brother shall represent more than 
one Lodge at the same time, either as representa- 
tive or proxy. 

SECT. 4. — Every subordinate Lodge under 
this jurisdiction shall be allowed three votes in all 



Part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 49 

elections and other business in this Grand Lodge, 
whether represented by one or more of its repre- 
sentatives. 



ARTICLE III. 

Initiation of Candidates. 

SECTION i. — All applications for initiation 
shall be made in writing over the signature of the 
applicant, and in the following form : — 

FORM OF PETITION. 

To the W. Master, Wardens, and Members of 

Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons : — 

The subscriber respectfully represents that, having 
long entertained a favorable opinion of your ancient 
Institution, he is desirous, if found worthy, to be ad- 
mitted a member thereof. 

My full name is 

My place of residence is. 

Date of birth 

Place of birth 

Occupation 

I have never before applied for initiation. 

I have before applied for initiation to Lodge, 

located at , in the vear 18 — 

[The form not used to be crossed out by the appli- 
cant.] 

Signed 

Date, 



50 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

RECOMMENDATION. 

I, , member of Lodge aforesaid, hereby 

recommend said for initiation. 

Signed, . 

No candidate shall be balloted for who has not 
been proposed at a Stated Monthly Communica- 
tion, and who shall not have stood so proposed 
from one Regular Monthly Communication to 
another, without a Dispensation therefor ; nor 
shall any candidate be balloted for into whose 
moral character a strict inquiry has not been made, 
and whose name has not been borne on the noti- 
fications for the meeting at which he is to be bal- 
loted for. It shall not be regular for any Lodge 
which does not usually issue written or printed 
notifications of its Communications, to ballot upon 
any application for the degrees when there is a 
Dispensation therefor, at any but Stated Monthly 
Communications, without written or printed noti- 
fications to the members of the Lodge, with the 
name of the candidate borne thereon. 

SECT. 2. — No candidate, whose application 
may be rejected by a Lodge, shall be proposed 
in any other Lodge under this jurisdiction within 
six months after such rejection; nor shall any 
candidate be proposed in any Lodge, other than 
the one to which he first applied, without a written 



Part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 5 1 

recommendation from six members of the said 
Lodge, of whom the Master and Wardens shall be 
three. And when the Master and Wardens are 
unwilling so to recommend a candidate who has 
been rejected, it shall be their duty to communi- 
cate such rejection to the Grand Lodge, or to the 
District Deputy Grand Master, who shall immedi- 
ately communicate the same to all the Lodges 
under his jurisdiction. And if any Mason know- 
ingly assist, or recommend for initiation to any 
Lodge whatever, any candidate rejected as afore- 
said, who may not have obtained a recommenda- 
tion, and also waited the required six months as 
before provided, such Mason shall be expelled 
from the Institution, or subjected to such other 
penalty as the Grand Lodge may see cause to 
impose. 

Any candidate residing within this State, whose 
application has been rejected, who shall be ini- 
tiated in any other Lodge, without the recommen- 
dation aforesaid, shail be deemed a clandestine 
Mason, and shall not be allowed to visit any 
Lodge within this jurisdiction, and the Craft is 
hereby forbidden to hold Masonic intercourse 
with him. 

No person who has been rejected in any Lodge 
in this jurisdiction, and who shall have procured 
his degrees in any other jurisdiction, without the 
recommendation prescribed in Section 2 of this 



52 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

Article, and without the written permission of the 
Grand Master, shall be admitted as a visitor in 
any Lodge of this jurisdiction, or be entitled to 
any recognition as a Mason, until he shall have 
been formally healed by the Grand Lodge, and 
notice thereof shall have been duly communicated 
by the Recording Grand Secretary to all the 
Lodges of this jurisdiction. Provided^ however, 
that whenever it shall appear, to the satisfaction of 
the M.W. Grand Master, that any person deemed 
a clandestine Mason under the provisions of this 
article shall have received the degrees solely by 
the fault or mistake of the Lodge conferring the 
same, or of any officer or member of such Lodge, 
the Grand Master may, in his discretion, cause 
such person to be healed without a petition to 
the Grand Lodge therefor. 

SECT. 3. — The general rule which governs the 
Order in the admission of members is, that such 
admission is to be sanctioned by entire unanimity ; 
and so sacred and fundamental does the Grand 
Lodge conceive this rule to be, that no candidate 
shall be initiated in any Lodge, under this juris- 
diction, without a clear and unanimous vote in his 
favor. Every member present shall vote on the 
application, unless excused by the Lodge. 

SECT. 4. — If the physical deformity of any 
applicant for the degrees does not amount to an 



Part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 53 

inability to meet the requirements of the Ritual, 
and honestly to acquire the means of subsistence, 
it shall constitute no hindrance to his initiation. 

SECT. 5. — Application for initiation shall be 
made to the Lodge in the town or city where the 
petitioner resides, if there be a Lodge therein ; 
but if there be none he shall apply to the Lodge 
nearest to his residence ; and such Lodge shall 
make due and careful inquiry as to the moral 
standing of the petitioner, of some respectable and 
reliable person or persons living in the place of 
his residence, before he shall be initiated. And 
no person residing in a town or city where there 
is a Lodge shall be initiated in any other town or 
city, without the written consent and recommen- 
dation of the Master, one Warden, and two mem- 
bers, at least, of each Lodge in the town or city 
where he resides ; provided, however ', that where 
there are more than two Lodges in any town or 
city such consent and recommendation shall not 
be required of more than two of them. Nor shall 
any candidate be received from any other State 
(he being a resident thereof) where a regular 
Lodge is established, without the written permis- 
sion of the Grand Master of such State. 

Sect. 6. — No Entered Apprentice or Fellow- 
Craft, initiated or passed in any Lodge within the 
United States, shall be passed or raised in any 



54 Constitutions of the [Part iv. 

Lodge under this jurisdiction, without the consent 
of the Master and Wardens of the Lodge in which 
he was first admitted, or a dispensation from the 
Grand Master. 

Sect. 7. — Any member of a subordinate Lodge 
may object to the initiation, passing, or raising of 
a candidate, at any time before the degree is con- 
ferred ; and the Lodge shall investigate such 
objections before proceeding further with the 
candidate. 

Sect. 8. — The fee demanded by a Lodge for 
initiating, crafting, and raising a Mason shall not 
be less than twenty-five dollars, including the fee 
to the Grand Lodge ; and no Lodge under this 
jurisdiction shall take notes of hand for fees, or 
grant any time of credit therefor. 

Sect. 9. — No Lodge, in the absence of the 
Master and Wardens, shall initiate, craft, or raise 
a candidate. 

SECT. 10. — No Lodge shall hold more than one 
Communication on the same day, nor confer either 
of the three degrees ztpon more than FIVE candidates 
at one Communication, No Lodge shall permit 
more than one candidate to be present at the same 
time in the first section of the first degree, nor in 
the second section of the third degree. 

Note. — In the discussion of this Article in Grand Lodge ; 
the first section being under consideration, the opinion was 



part iv.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 55 

expressed, and acquiesced in, that the clause in said section 
which requires the names of candidates to be borne on the 
notifications for the meeting at which the balloting takes 
place is not intended to affect the Lodges in the country 
which do not issue written notifications. 



56 Constitutions of the [Part v. 



33 art jFtftfj* 



MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS. 

SECTION i. — No business other than that 
appertaining to the Work and Lectures shall be 
transacted in a Lodge while open on the first or 
second degree. All general business, such as the 
election and installation of officers, the discussion 
of questions relating to the general interests of the 
Fraternity, and the local affairs of the Lodge, shall 
be transacted in a Master's Lodge. 

SECT. 2. — The Lodge shall admit as members 
such only as are Master Masons. No Brother who 
has been discharged for non-payment of dues shall 
be admitted to membership in any other Lodge 
until the same are paid or remitted. The receipt 
or certificate from the Secretary of the Lodge of 
which the applicant was last a member shall be 
satisfactory evidence that his dues have been 
liquidated. 

SECT. 3. — The Master of any Lodge under this 
jurisdiction, who has faithfully discharged his duties 
and complied with the laws of the Grand Lodge, 
shall, at the end of his first year, be presented by 



Part v.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 57 

the District Deputy Grand Master with a Past 
Master's Diploma. 

SECT. 4. — Any Lodge may take cognizance of 
the conduct of any sojourning Brother or Brethren, 
not attached to any particular Lodge, Upon a charge 
of unmasonic conduct. 

Sect. 5. — No Lodge shall encourage, promote, 
or permit the delivery of any Masonic lectures 
which have not been sanctioned and authorized by 
the Grand Lodge ; nor shall any Mason be permit- 
ted to deliver such lectures under this jurisdiction. 

SECT. 6. — No Lodge shall form a public pro- 
cession, except to attend the funeral of a Master 
Mason, without permission from the Grand Master 
(or, in his absence, the Deputy Grand Master), or 
the District Deputy Grand Master, within whose 
District it is located. 

Sect. 7. — No Mason shall be interred with the 
formalities of the Order, unless it be at his own 
special request, without a Dispensation from the 
Grand Master; nor under any circumstances 
unless he has been advanced to the degree of a 
Master Mason. 

Sect. 8. — No Lodge, or officer, or member of a 
Lodge, shall give a certificate or recommendation 
to enable a Mason to proceed from Lodge to Lodge 
as a pauper, or in an itinerant manner to apply to 
Lodges for relief. 



S 8 Constitutions of the [Part v. 

SECT. 9. — No political or other exciting topics 
shall be introduced for discussion in any Lodge 
under this jurisdiction. 

SECT. 10. — Every Lodge shall meet once in 
each calendar month, but may close during the 
months of June, July, and August. 

SECT. 11. — The Master of a Lodge shall have 
the special charge of its Charter, and shall see 
that it is carefully preserved, and is present when- 
ever the Lodge is opened. 

SECT. 12. — A visiting Brother, having produced 
his Grand Lodge certificate, or Diploma, shall have 
the right to call for the Charter of the Lodge he 
desires to visit. 

SECT. 13. — No Brother shall be a member of 
more than one Lodge; nor shall he hold more 
than one office in the same Lodge, or in Grand 
Lodge, at the same time. 

SECT. 14. — The removal of a Brother into 
another jurisdiction shall not, of itself, authorize 
his name to be stricken from the roll of the Lodge 
of which he is a member. 

SECT. 15. — No Mason, not a member of some 
subordinate Lodge, shall be allowed to visit the 
same Lodge in the place where he resides more 
than twice, without the permission of the Master 
or vote of the Lodge. 

SECT. 16. — No Lodge shall suspend the oper- 



Part v.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 59 

ation of a By-Law ; nor, at a Special Communica- 
tion, alter or amend any part of the proceedings 
of a Stated one. 

Sect. 17. — No brother shall be elected Master 
of a Lodge who has not served at least one year 
in the office of Warden. 

Sect. 18. — No elected officer of a Lodge shall 
act as such until he is duly installed. 

SECT. 19. — No Lodge shall interfere with the 
business or concerns of another Lodge. 

Sect. 20. — Any vote passed in the Grand 
Lodge, or by any subordinate Lodge, may be re- 
considered at the same Communication, or at the 
next subsequent Communication, provided notice 
of the intention to move for such a reconsideration 
shall be given at the Communication at which the 
vote was originally passed. But no member, 
except one of the majority which decided the 
question, shall be allowed to move for a reconsid- 
eration. 

Sect. 21. — A Lodge or Brother offending 
against any law or regulation of the Craft, or of 
this Grand Lodge, to the breach of which no pen- 
alty is attached, shall, at the discretion of the Grand 
Lodge, be subject to admonition, suspension, or 
expulsion. 

SECT. 22. — No permanent regulation of this 
Grand Lodge shall be repealed or amended at the 



60 Constitutions of the [Part v. 

Communication at which such repeal or amend- 
ment is proposed, nor until it has been duly con- 
sidered by a committee, to be chosen by the Grand 
Lodge at a previous Quarterly Communication. 
And every Lodge under the jurisdiction of this 
Grand Lodge, within the territorial limits of Mas- 
chusetts, shall be served by the Recording Grand 
Secretary with an attested copy of such proposed 
repeal or amendment within thirty days after the 
Communication at which such repeal or amend- 
ment is proposed. A majority of two-thirds of 
the votes cast shall be necessary for the adoption 
of any amendment. 

Sect. 23. — No Lodge shall apply for, receive, 
or act under any corporate Charter granted by 
any Legislature or political government; and the 
receiving such Charter of incorporation, or acting 
thereunder by any Lodge under this jurisdiction, 
shall operate as a surrender and revocation of its 
Masonic Charter or Warrant from this Grand 
Lodge. 



Part vi.] Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 61 



$art Sixtif. 



I 



RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE 
GRAND LODGE. 

RULE I. — None but members of the Grand 
Lodge — past or present officers of other Grand 
Lodges excepted — shall be present at the open- 
ing of the same ; nor shall any visitor be admitted 
during the session, except by permission of the 
Grand Master. 

2. — All members and visitors shall keep the 
seats assigned them, except the Grand Marshal 
and officers whose duties may call them about the 
Lodge, 

3. — All resolutions shall be submitted in writ- 
ing before there shall be any debate upon them ; 
as shall all motions, if the Grand Master or any 
Brother desire it. 

4. — All matters in Grand Lodge shall be de- 
cided by vote. The Grand Master shall be entitled 
to one vote on all questions, and may also give the 
casting vote whenever there shall be an equal 
division. 

5. — Each member shall vote on all questions, 



62 Constitutions of the [Part vi. 

except when he is personally interested, unless 
specially excused by the Grand Lodge. 

6. — No Brother shall speak more than twice to 
the same question, unless in explanation, without 
permission of the Grand Master. 

7. — Every member who speaks shall rise and 
remain standing, addressing himself to the Grand 
Master; nor shall any Brother presume to inter- 
rupt him, except on a point of order. 

8. — When a question is under debate, no motion 
shall be received, except to amend, commit, or lay 
upon the table. 

9. — A motion to amend, until decided, shall 
preclude all other amendments of the main 
question. 

10. — Any member may call for a division of 
the question where the same will admit of it. 

11. — No new motion, which totally changes the 
subject-matter on which the original motion was 
intended to operate, shall be admitted, under color 
of amendment, as a substitute for the motion 
under debate. 

12. — After a motion is stated by the Grand 
Master, it shall be deemed to be in possession of 
the Grand Lodge, but may be withdrawn by the 
mover at any time before decision or amendment. 

13. — There shall be no debate upon any ques- 
tion after it is put by the Grand Master. 



Part vi.i Grand Lodge oj Massachusetts. 63 

14. — All motions and- reports may becommitted 
at the pleasure of the Grand Lodge. 

15. — -While the Grand Master is addressing the 
Grand Lodge, or putting a question, or a Brother 
is speaking, no member shall entertain any private 
discourse, nor pass between the speaker and the 
chair. 

16. — All communications, petitions, appeals, 
resolutions, propositions, and motions, shall be 
couched in decent and respectful language, or they 
shall not be entertained in Grand Lodge. 

17. — No Brother shall leave the Grand Lodge 
during the session, without permission of the 
Grand Master. 

18. — If any member shall have been twice 
called to order for transgressing these Rules, and 
shall nevertheless be guilty of a third offence, at 
the same meeting, the Grand Master shall peremp- 
torily command him to take his seat, and he shall 
not be permitted to speak again during that session 
of the Grand Lodge. 



64 Constitutions of the 



DEFINITIONS. 



I.- — Ample Form, The Grand Lodge is de- 
clared to be opened in Ample Form when the 
Grand Master presides, 

2. — In Due Form, when the Deputy Grand 
Master presides, and — 

3. — In Form, when it is opened in the absence 
of both the Grand Master and his Deputy. 

4. — Discharged Member. This term is applied 
to a member of a Lodge who has been discharged 
for non-payment of his quarterly dues, or other 
violation of the local rules of his Lodge. 

5. — Suspension} The suspension of a Brother 
excludes him from all his Masonic privileges, and 
prohibits all Masonic intercourse between him and 
his Brethren during the time of his suspension. 

6. — Expulsion. This is the highest penalty 
that can be incurred, and the severest punishment 
that can be inflicted, for any violation of Masonic 
engagements. It excludes a Mason from all his 

1 When the word suspension is used alone, it is understood 
to refer to the rights and privileges of Masonry, and not 
to membership in a Lodge. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 65 

Masonic rights and privileges forever, until he be 
restored by the Grand Lodge. It ought never to 
be exercised but with extreme caution, and in 
cases where a lighter punishment would be of no 
avail. 

7. — Summons and Notification. These terms 
are used in the old regulations, and, by many of 
the Grand Lodges in this country, synonymously. 
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts makes the 
following distinction : — 

A Notification is the notice by which the time, 
place, and hour (and frequently the business) of 
the Lodge are communicated to the members. 
This notice every Brother receiving it is expected 
to obey, unless his doing so would materially 
interfere with his business engagements. The 
obligation which it imposes is a general one ; and 
the highest penalty incurred by a violation of it is 
forfeiture of membership. 

A Summons is a call of authority ; a citation to 
appear and answer to the charges therein set forth. 
Or, it is an imperative injunction to appear at a 
Special Communication of the Lodge with which 
the Brother receiving it is affiliated ; or to attend 
on the Grand Master, the District Deputy Grand 
Master, or any committee or other Body authorized 
by the Grand Lodge to issue it. The obligation to 
obey it is special and obligatory on every Brother 



66 Constitutions of the 

receiving it. The penalty for its non-observance 
is expulsion, unless the party offending be able to 
urge a pressing and positive necessity for his 
excuse. 

8. — The Lodge. The term Lodge is generally 
understood to refer to the members of a particular 
Masonic Association, or the place in which they 
meet. In a few of the States it technically 
signifies the Ark of the Covenant, which is kept in 
the hall, and frequently carried in public pro- 
cessions. The Ark is not used in our Lodges. 
The Flooring, or Master's Carpet, is frequently 
called the Lodge. 

9. — The Flooring, or Carpet, is a regularly 
arranged painting of the Masonic emblems on 
canvas. No Lodge should be without one. 

10. — The Trestle-Board, or Tracing-Board, "is 
for the Master to draw his designs upon " ; or it is 
the Board on which the designs of the Master are 
already drawn. The term is frequently used 
synonymously with Flooring and Carpet. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 6y 



STANDING VOTES, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDERS 
OF THE GRAND LODGE, NOW IN FORCE. 



Ordered, That from and after the passage of 
this order, it shall not be regular to give more 
than one degree to the same individual on the 
same day, nor at a less interval than one month 
from his receiving the previous degree, unless a 
Dispensation shall have been obtained therefor. 
[Adopted June 4, 1843.'] 

Ordered, That it shall not be regular, hereafter, 
for any Lodge which does not usually issue writ- 
ten or printed notifications of its meetings, to bal- 
lot upon any application for the degrees when 
there is a Dispensation therefor, at any but 
Stated Monthly Communications, without written 
or printed notifications to the members of the 
Lodge, with the name of the candidate borne 
thereon. [Adopted Dec. 9, 186 j.~] 

Voted, that the Grand Master be authorized and 
empowered to draw upon the Grand Treasurer for 
such sums of money as are necessary to defray 
the expenses of the meetings of the District Dep- 



68 Constitutions of the 

uty Grand Masters at the Annual and Quarterly 
Communications of the Grand Lodge, and that the 
Grand Master in his Annual Address report such 
expenditures. {Adopted March 14, 1866. ,] 

Ordered, That whenever the Grand Officers 
shall be invited to visit a Lodge, either for the 
purpose of inspecting its work, uniting with it in 
the celebration of any historical or Masonic anni- 
versary, installing its officers, or dedicating new 
Masonic halls or apartments, the entire expense of 
such visit shall be borne by the subordinate 
Lodge; and that in the constitution of new 
Lodges the travelling expenses only of the Grand 
Officers shall be borne by the Grand Lodge ; pro- 
vided, however, that in case of a visit for either of 
the aforesaid purposes, the Grand Lodge will pay 
the travelling expenses of its own officers, when- 
ever, in the opinion of the Grand Master, the sub- 
ordinate Lodge shall be unable to bear them. 
{Adopted Sept. 11, 1878^ 

Voted, That the Grand Master be requested to 
make a detailed report of the financial condition 
of the Grand Lodge in his Annual Address. 
{Adopted March 14., 1866. .] 



Voted, That the Recording Grand Secretary 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 69 

insert in his notifications for Communications of 
the Grand Lodge, the Part, Article and Section of 
any proposed Amendment to the Grand Constitu- 
tions, which may be in order for deliberation at 
such meetings. [Adopted Dec. ij, i866.~\ 

Ordered, That the Grand Lecturers be author- 
ized to hold Quarterly Meetings, under the direc- 
tion of the Grand Master, at the Masonic Temple, 
Boston, on Grand Lodge days, for the purpose of 
consultation, and of advising officers of subordi- 
nate Lodges ; and that the expenses of such meet- 
ings be paid by the Grand Lodge upon the order 
of the Grand Master; and that the Grand Mas- 
ter, in his Annual Address, report such expenses. 
[Adopted June <?, i8yo^\ 

Resolved, That it is the privilege of every affili- 
ated Mason, in good and regular standing, to visit 
any Lodge, when not engaged in the transaction 
of private business ; but that it is also the right of 
a sitting member of the Lodge to object to the 
admission of a visitor, giving his reasons therefor, 
if required by a majority vote of the members to 
do so ; or, as the alternative, declaring, upon his 
honor as a Mason, that his reasons are such that 
he cannot, with propriety, disclose them to the 
Lodge. [Adopted Dec. 14., i8yo.~\ 



JO Constitutions of the 

Ordered, That any Lodge neglecting to present 
its returns and Grand Lodge dues to the District 
Deputy Grand Master, at the time of his official 
visit to such Lodge, when demanded by him, shall 
not be permitted to work in any of the degrees of 
Masonry until such returns and dues are placed in 
the hands of the District Deputy Grand Master. 
\Adopted June 14., i8yi.~] 

Voted, That applications for the degrees by per- 
sons residing within the city of Boston shall state 
the street and number of the street in which the 
applicant resides. \_Adopted March 12, 1873."] 

RULES AS TO BY-LAWS. 

I. By-Laws of a subordinate Lodge should provide 
for the election or appointment of a Worshipful Mas- 
ter, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Sec- 
retary, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, 
Junior Steward, Tyler, and such other officers as may 
be deemed expedient, the first five always to be 
chosen by ballot. 

II. A Lodge may, by its By-Laws, provide for the 
election, by ballot, of all officers and committees ; but 
where there is no such provision the W. Master alone 
has the appointing power. 

III. By-Laws should provide for the Regular Meet- 
ings of the Lodge ; Special Meetings can be held only 
at the will and pleasure of the W. Master. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. yi 

IV. By-Laws cannot provide for the removal of an 
officer, because when an officer (elected or appointed) 
has been installed he cannot be removed, and ought 
not to resign, during his term, if he remains a member 
of the Lodge in good standing ; for misdemeanor in 
office he may be suspended, subject to the action of 
the Grand Master or Grand Lodge. Should a 
vacancy occur from any cause, it cannot be perma- 
nently filled without a Dispensation from the Grand 
Master. 

V. By-Laws cannot alter or abridge the duties of 
officers that are fixed by usage and the ritual, and 
ought not to define such duties ; it is well for them, 
however, to set forth fully what is specially required 
of the Treasurer and Secretary. 

VI. By-Laws cannot deprive a Brother of member- 
ship by any language therein ; every Mason is entitled 
to due notice and trial before being deprived of any 
Masonic rights. 

VII. In balloting, whether for degrees or for mem- 
bership, the ballot must be unanimous to elect. 

VIII. By-Laws cannot regulate the Aprons, Col- 
lars, or Jewels, to be worn by officers or members, 
they being determined by the Grand Constitutions. 

IX. By-Laws should not contain extracts from the 
Grand Constitutions as any part thereof. Such forms 
as may be needed for general reference might very 
properly be put in a supplement or foot-note ; but, if 
this is done, great care should be taken to promptly 
insert such amendments as may be made by the Grand 
Lodge. 



72 



Constitutions of the 



X. Each code of By-Laws should set forth the fees 
for the degrees and membership, the annual dues, and 
a description of the seal of the Lodge. 

^Recommended by the Committee on By-Laws, 
and adopted by the Grand Lodge, June n, 1873, 
and ordered to be printed with the Standing 
Regulations in the Grand Constitutions^ 

XL In balloting for degrees or membership, the 
Worshipful Master may allow three ballotings, at his 
discretion ; but when the balloting has been commenced 
it must be concluded, and the candidate declared 
accepted or rejected, without the intervention of any 
other business whatever. 



\_Recommended by the same Committee, and 
adopted June 13, 1877.] 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 73 



SINKING FUND 



For the purpose of defraying the indebtedness 
of the Grand Lodge, removing the incumbrances 
upon the Temple, and placing the Charity Fund 
upon an independent basis, it is hereby ordered 
and decreed by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 
as follows : — 

That the sum of one dollar, as Grand Lodge 
dues, shall be paid on the first day of September, 
annually, for the term of thirteen years, by every 
affiliated Mason under our jurisdiction. 

Said sum shall be collected by the Lodges of 
their members, and paid to the District Deputy 
Grand Masters, at their annual visits. 

Any member, by paying the sum of ten dollars 
at one time, shall thereafter be exempt from the 
•operation of this decree. 

No non-affiliated Mason, residing in the State of 
Massachusetts, shall visit any Lodge without first 
paying the sum of twenty-five cents at each visit, 
which sum shall be paid by the Lodges to the 
District Deputy Grand Master, as before ordered. 

Said moneys shall constitute the Sinking Fund of 



74 Constitutions of the 

the Grand Lodge, to which all moneys unappro- 
priated at the end of each year shall be added, and 
the same shall be separately invested by the Grand 
Treasurer, under the direction of the Board of 
Directors, and pledged to the payment of the debt 
upon the Temple. 

The Grand Treasurer, at the Annual Meeting of 
the Grand Lodge, shall make a full and exact 
report of the Sinking Fund, of the amount received 
from each Lodge, the amount invested, and how 
much invested, and of all matters relating thereto. 
{Adopted March ij, 1867.'] 

Resolved, That this Grand Lodge hereby pledges 
the faith of the Fraternity of the Commonwealth 
to sustain the Grand Master and the Board of 
Directors in completing and paying for the New 
Masonic Temple, now being erected in this city. 
{Adopted June 12, 1867. ~] 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 75 



STATIONS OF THE GRAND OFFICERS IN THE 
GRAND LODGE. 



The M.W. Grand Master, 

In the East, at the Head of the Grand Lodge. 

The R.W. Deputy Grand Master, 

hi the East, next to and left of the Grand Master. 

The R.W. Senior Grand Warden, 

In the West. 

The R.W. Junior Grand Warden, 

In the South. 

The R.W. Past Grand Masters, 

In the East, at the right of the Grand Master) and the Junior Past 
Grand Master next to the Grand Master. 

The R.W. Past Deputy Grand Masters, 

In ihe East, at the right of the Past Grand Masters. 

The R.W. Past Grand Wardens, 

In the East, at the right of the Past Deputy Grand Masters. 

The R.W. Grand Treasurer, 

On the right, in front of the Grand Master. 

The R.W. Recording Grand Secretary, 

On the left, in front of the Grand Master. 

The R.W. Corresponding Grand Secretary, v 

On the left, ?iext to the Recording Grand Secreta?y. 

The R.W. District Deputy Grand Masters,^ 

bi the East, on the left of the Deputy Grand Master. + 



?6 Constitutions. 

The W. and Rev. Grand Chaplains, 

In the East, the Senior upon a raised dais in front of the Grand Master 
and between him and the Past Junior Grand Master ; and the Junior 
upon a raised dais upon the left of the Grand Master and between him 
and the Deputy Grand Master, both being upon a lower grade than that 
of the Grand Master and that of the officers upon his right and left. 

The W. Qrand Marshal, 

Upon the left of the Grand Master, in front of the Grand Secretary. 

The W. Grand Lecturers, 

The first and second on the right of the Senior Grand Deacon, and the 
third lit the West, at the left of the Senior Grand Warden. 

The W. Senior Grand Deacon, 

Upon the right of the Grand Master, in front of the Grand Treasurer. 

The W. Junior Grand Deacon, 

In the West, at the right of the Senior Grand Warden. 

The W. Grand Stewards, 

In the South, two upon the right, and two upon the left of the Junior 
Grand Warden, upon each side, one Steward in front of the other. 

The W. Grand Sword-Bearer, 

At the left of the Grand Marshal. 

The W. Grand Standard-Bearer, 

At the left of the Grand Sword- Bearer. 

The W. Grand Pursuivants, 

Near the door of entrance to the Grand Lodge, and whose duty it is " to 
receive all reports from the Grand Tyler, to announce the name and 
Masonic ranlc of all who desire admission, and to see that none enter 
without wearing their appropriate decorations" 

Bro. Grand Organist, 

At the Organ. 

Bro. Grand Tyler, 

Outside of the e?itrance to the Grand Lodge. 



DIGEST OF MASONIC LAW 



OF THE 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 



^ 



DIGEST. 



AD JO URNMENT. 

From the very nature of our constitution, a Lodge 
cannot properly be adjourned. It must either be 
closed in due form, or the Brethren must be called off 

to refreshment. C. W. M., Freem. Mag., vol. 8, p. 198. 

ADVANCEMENT. (See Candidate.) 

It is competent for a Brother, not present at the first 
balloting and initiation, to object to the advancement 
of the candidate for good and sufficient reasons ; but 
not from mere personal motives, aside from the true 
principles of Masonry. c. w. M., vol. 13, p. 96. 

AFFIRMA TION. (See Quaker.) 

AFRICAN GRAND LODGE. 

A distinction founded on color, as " black " or race, 
as "African" is in contravention of the Ancient Land- 
marks, is not Masonic, and would be void. The evil 
of making two Grand Lodges, of equal and coordinate 
powers, has no relief, because one may lawfully com- 
pete w^ith the other ; recognize him whom the other 



4 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

suspends ; charter where the other refuses ; make 
where the other rejects ; and thus precipitate Masonry 
into the horrors of a divided and ineffective jurisdiction 
over its own Lodges and members, and a competitive 
struggle for candidates. 

The African Lodge, in Mass., was chartered by the 
Grand Lodge of England, in 1784, six years after the 
formation and declaration of independence of the 
Grand Lodge of Mass. 

Its charter, proceeding from a foreign source, which 
had no political authority in the country where alone it 
was directed to be used, and which had no Masonic 
right there, was void and of no effect, ab initio. 

Prin. Pro., 1876, pp. 63-68. 



ALLEGATION. 

EVIDENCE TO CORRESPOND WITH. 

i. In trials, the evidence offered, in support of 
the complaint, must correspond with the allegations 

therein. Prin. Pro., 1875, p. 25. 

SUFFICIENCY OF. 

2. It is sufficient, if the specification allege the act 
or neglect, or series of acts or neglects, relied upon in 
the complaint, with substantial accuracy and definite- 
ness, embracing time, place, and any other element nec- 
essary to constitute the offence, whether that offence be 
a crime at common law, a statutory crime, or such an 
act as falls within the designation of a Masonic offence. 

Prin. Pro., 1876, p. 125. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 5 

AL TERA TION (See Record.*) 

OF RECORDS. 

If the striking out of irrelevant and improper 
matter from the record is done by the W.M., in the 
exercise of what is believed to be the right and duty 
of the W.M., it is not arbitrary, unmasonic, or 
partial. Rec, i>ec. 12, 1821. 

ALTERNATE. 

COMMUNICATIONS OF LODGES. 

i . There is no precedent in this jurisdiction author- 
izing a Lodge at any other place than that pointed 
out by its charter. Rec, I809. 

2. Lodges may not hold Communications in differ- 
ent towns. Such indulgence has a tendency to disturb 
the harmony of the present system, to unsettle the 
location of Lodges, and to encourage an itinerant 

Spirit. Prin. Pro., 1827, p. 11. 

AMENDMENT 

OF BY-LAWS. 

By-Laws can be amended only in the way pro- 
vided for by their own articles, c. w. m., vol. 9, p. its. 

ANCIENT REGULATIONS. 

They are still binding whenever and wherever any 
question at issue properly falls within the scope of 
their provisions. c. w. m., vol. 29, p. 91. 



6 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

APOL OGT. (See Grand Lodge.*) 

APPEAL. (See Expelled Mason.) 

IN TRIALS. 

i. A Lodge may reconsider its proceedings and 
reverse its decision, if the case has not passed from it 
by appeal or otherwise. c. w. m., vol. ?, p. 321-325. 

2. An appeal does not lie from the decision of the 
Master, except to the Grand Lodge, or to the Grand 
Master, in the interim. c. w. m., vol. 7, p. 321-325. 

3. An appeal may be taken, and the action of the 
Lodge set aside, on the ground that the punishment 
inflicted by the Lodge was not sufficiently severe for 
the offence. c. TV. m., vol. 23, p. 192. 

APPLLCANTS. (See Petition.) 

FOR DEGREES. RIGHTS OF BRETHREN CONCERNING. 

Every Brother has the right to act upon the well- 
established landmark or guaranty, that he has the best 
judgment of a regular lodge upon the good character 
and moral fitness of every Brother at the time of his 
admission, and that no one can, without that judgment, 
be placed in the position of his Masonic Brother. 

Prin. Pro., Rec, I860, June 13. 

APPLICATION. 

OF CANDIDATES. BY-LAW CONCERNING WITH- 
DRAWAL OF. 

I. A By-Law which provides that u no applica- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 7 

tion shall be withdrawn after it has been once submit- 
ted to a ballot, except by unanimous consent" is er- 
roneous. The words " except by unanimous consent" 
are inadmissible. Prin. Pro., 1858, p. 14. 

2. A By-Law cannot be made to dispense with the 
time — i. e. one month — necessary for a candidate's 
application to lie over. Such dispensing power exists 
alone in the Grand Master and his Deputies, and a 
Lodge has no such right, even by unanimous vote. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 39. 

APPOINTMENT. 

OF OFFICERS. POWER OF MASTER OVER. 

1 . By-Laws should not provide that the W. Mas- 
ter shall consult with the Wardens in relation to the 
appointment of officers. It is due to the Master's 
office to give him the entire subject, when the Lodge 
surrenders its privilege to elect them. 

Prin. Pro., 1861, p. 14. 

2. The inherent appointing power exists in the 
Master of the Lodge, and the power of appointment 
should not lie in the Wardens. Prin. Pro., 1864, p. 8. 

APRON. 

TO BE PRESENTED TO CANDIDATE. 

Each Lodge, at the time of initiation, must present 
the candidate with an Apron of the style prescribed 
by the Constitutions, to be kept by him for use on pub- 
lic Occasions. Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 35. 



8 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

ARMT. 

OR MILITARY LODGE. 

The establishment of Military Lodges is not incon- 
sistent with the practices of Freemasonry in this 
country. c. w. m., -vol. 5, p. 324. 

BALLOT. (See Candidates.) 

FOR CANDIDATES. 

i. A ballot taken at the same Communication after 
the candidate has been rejected, and the objector has 
been suspended from the Lodge for three months, and 
has withdrawn from the Lodge, is irregular and 

illegal. Priia. Pro., I860, pp. 5-8. 

2. A ballot once commenced must be concluded, 
so as to result in the acceptance or rejection of the 
candidate, without the introduction of any other busi- 
ness. If it be desirable to ballot for the candidate 
again (after rejection), it must be done upon a new 
petition, which must be presented, and take its regu- 
lar course, in the same manner as if the candidate was 
for the first time before the Lodge. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 54. 

3. A By-Law as to the minuting by the Secretary 
of the number of members present at balloting, etc., 
in the following language: "It shall be the duty of 
the Secretary to minute down the number of members 
present at each balloting, either for a member or for a 
candidate for initiation ; and any determination thus 
had shall not afterwards be altered except when an 
equal number of members are present, and a month's 



• 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 9 

notice previous to the question being called for a 
second time," — is erroneous. To permit questions as to 
acceptance or rejection of candidates to hang upon 
such loose and uncertain conditions cannot be toler- 
ated. Prin. Pro., 1866, pp. 30, 40. 

4. If the candidate was regularly accepted by a 
clear ballot in a Lodge where notices were sent to the 
members with the name of the candidate upon the 
notices, or in a Lodge where no notices are sent, but 
where the ballot was at a regular meeting, no new 
ballot can be had. If a Brother object, the W. Master 
has a right to refuse to confer the degree. If the W. 
Master does not so decide, it is his duty, under Sect. 7, 
Art. 3, Part 4, of the Constitutions, to appoint a com- 
mittee to consider the objections, and to report thereon 
to the Lodge, and the Lodge is to decide by a majority 
vote upon the sufficiency of the objections. The 
ballot once fairly and regularly taken, by which the 
candidate is accepted, cannot be repeated. 

Opinion G. Master Gardner, Prin. Pro., 1869, p. 157. 

5. A By-Law concerning the ballot for a candidate 
for degrees or membership, 1 which provided that the 
candidate should receive a unanimous vote, but that if, 
after a report of the committee on his application, 
there should only two dissenting votes appear, the ballot 
maybe repeated, and if one blackball shall then appear 
another ballot may be ordered ; and if one blackball 
shall then appear, the candidate must be declared 
rejected, — has been sanctioned by the Grand Lodge. 

Prin. Pro., 18TO, p. 373. 

1 See Standing Regulation, Prin. Pro., 1877, p. 194. 



io Digest of Masonic Law of the 

6. Where the W. Master ordered a second ballot 
for a candidate for the degrees, after he had been once 
admitted, and the report of a committee appointed 
to investigate objections made to his reception of the 
degrees had been accepted by the Lodge, the ruling was 
erroneous, and such second ballot was null and void. 

Prin. Pro., 1875, pp. 71-79. 

7. The principle in respect to the ballot is that 
every member should vote, whether the By-Laws of the 
Lodge so prescribe or not. c. w. m., vol. 4, p. 227. 

8. * No Lodge has the right to interfere with the 
private ballot. If a Brother choose to avow his hos- 
tility to an application, and do not disclose his reason 
therefor, he stands in the same position as if he had 
cast a blackball, and his reason cannot be demanded 
by the Lodge. If, however, he voluntarily state his 
reasons, he makes them the property of the Lodge, 
who, in that case only, have the right to judge of their 
Masonic validity. 2 c. w. M., vol. 10, p. 230-1. 

9. It is not competent for the Master of a Lodge to 
suspend the declaration of the ballot which has been 
returned to him not clear, when he is informed, or is 
himself of the opinion, that objections to the candidate 
may be removed by explanation and conciliation. 
There is no power to suspend a ballot. 

C. W. M., vol. 13, p. 259. 

10. In regard to an abuse of the ballot, it mat- 
ters not that there is no special provision in the 

1 After the ballot has been declared, a brother cannot vote in the nega- 
tive.— T. P. C. 

2 The full remedy of an objecting brother after a ballot is found in the 
Cons., Part 4, Art. 3, Sec. 7. — T. P. C. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 1 1 

By-Laws to meet a particular case ; the common law 
of Masonry is ample for the case. 

C. W. M., vol. 14, p. 227-295. 

ii. If a member discover his error (in casting a 
blackball) l before the Lodge closes, he may correct it, 
and the Master may order a new ballot, provided there 
be only one blackball. c - w - M > vo1 - 18 > p- 14 °- 



12. In a ballot for officers, a blank piece of paper 
thrown into the ballot box contains no expression of 
the will, desire, or preference of the voter. It is not to 
be counted as a vote. c - w - M -> vo1 - 26 > p- 132 - 

13. A vote given for an ineligible candidate is to 
be rejected in the count. c - w - M -> vol « 2G > P- 13S *. 

14. The usages of Masonry require that all candi- 
dates for its privileges shall be severally received or 
rejected, on separate and distinct ballots. 

C. W. M., vol. 28, p. ISO. 

BANKRUPTCY. 

1. Bankruptcy alone is not a Masonic offence. 

Prill. Pro., 1869, p. 31. 

2. It is no bar to the admission of a candidate, and 
furnishes no reason for dealing with him after admis- 
sion. c ' w * M '? vol » °> P- 363. 

BLACKBALL. 

Casting a blackball factiously and without just 
cause is a Masonic offence, for which a member may 
be deprived of his membership. 

Prin. Pro.,1860, p. 33, pp. 5-8. 

1 This power, if exercised at all, should be exercised with great caution, 
and in conformity with the provisions of the Standing Regulation, No. 11. 

of 1877. 



1 2 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

BLANK VOTE. (See Ballot.} 

BLLND MAN. 

To make a blind man a Mason is inconsistent and 
incompatible with the Constitutions of Masonry, 

Rec, 1806, March 10. 

BRETHREN. {Differences between.) 

Differences between Brethren may be brought before 
the Lodge, without preferring specific charges, or 
written statement of facts, by one of the parties. On 
the statement or complaint, the Lodge may j^roceed in 
its investigations, and finally dictate terms of recon- 
ciliation, subject to appeal to the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol, 8, p. 163. 

BRLTLSH PROVLNCES. 

INITIATION OF CITIZENS OF MASS. IN. 

In case of such initiation by regular Lodges in the 
British Provinces, there is no legal remedy against the 
Lodge which conferred the Degrees, as the Grand 
Lodge of England claims the right to confer the 
degrees in Masonry upon any persons, without respect 
to citizenship. Prin - Pro > 186 °' P- 1X * 

BROTHER, THREATS AGALNST. (See 

By-Laws. ) 
i . It is the duty of a Mason to acquaint his Brother 
with anything which threatens his person, fame, or for- 
tune, and more especially when a declared enemy is 
not a Mason. Rec. 1768, vol. i, p. 22?. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 13 

2. A Brother not paying his Lodge dues can re- 
main a member until, under the operation of some 
Masonic law, he has been suspended from all the 
rights and privileges of membership. 

C. W. M., vol. 31, pp. OO-lOl. 



BURIAL. (See Funeral^ 

i. It is not always deemed essential that the 
deceased should have made the request to be buried 
by his Brethren. This is often done by dispensation 
from the Grand Master at the desire of his family and 
friends. € - w - m -> vo1 - *> p- ° 9 - 

CONTROL OF GRAND LODGE OVER. 

2. The whole subject falls legitimately within the 

lawful jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. 3»., vol. 18, p. 200. 

3. No Masonic clothing, regalia, or jewels can be 
worn at the funeral of a Brother unless a Lodge be 
first regularly opened. Only those who have been 
advanced to the degree of Master Mason can unite in 
a Masonic funeral procession. 

Trestle-Board, Burial Service, p. 89. 



4. Whenever other organizations, secret, civil, or 
military, unite with Masons in the burial of a Brother 
Mason, the body of the deceased must be in charge 
of the Lodge having supervision ; and the Masonic 
services should be conducted as if none but Masons 
were in attendance. 

Trestle-Board, Burial Service, p. 89. 



14 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

jB T-jLA WS. (See Amendment, Application, Ballot, 

Previous Question, Special.} 

i. An infringement of the By-Laws of a Lodge 
cannot be punished farther than by a forfeiture of 
membership. If the offence be of such magnitude as 
to deserve suspension or expulsion, a regular trial 
must be had in conformity with the Constitutions of 
the Grand Lodge. Prin - Pro «' 185 *> p- 16 - 

2. A By-Law which forbids the ballot for a candi- 
date for the degrees unless the report of the Committee 
of Investigation be favorable, is fundamentally wrong. 

Prin. Pro., 1858, p. 14. 

3. A By-Law which provides for an election of 
elective officers to fill vacancies occurring during the 
year without a dispensation therefor, is not in accord- 
ance with Masonic law. Prin ' Fro -> 1858 > p- 14 - 

4. By-Laws must not give to any officer indepen- 
dent authority in any particular, during the presence 
of the Master, to whom every officer should be subor- 
dinate. Prin. Pro., 1861, p. 14. 

5. By-Laws cannot give the W. Master power to 
remove appointed officers after their installation. 

Prin. Pro., 1861, p. 14. 

6. A By-Law providing that the W. Master may 
remove at his pleasure certain appointed officers is 
erroneous. Prin ' Pro -> 187 °> *• 11T - 

7. By-Laws cannot provide that u Officers failing 
to perform their office duties for a given time shall 
thereby be deemed to have resigned." 

Prin. Pro., 1861, p. 14. 

8. A By-Law which provides that " in the absence 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 1 5 

of the W. Master the next highest officer present 
shall preside," is contrary to Masonic law. 

Priii. Pro., 1864, p. 8. 

9. Although the Master of a Lodge has the ap- 
pointing power, he has no authority to remove an in- 
stalled officer, however inferior the rank of such officer 
may be. He may suspend such officer for good cause, 
and report his action to the M.W. Grand Master, but he 
cannot remove him from the position into which he 
has been solemnly installed, nor does there anywhere 
exist the power to remove him, capriciously and at 

pleasure. Prin. Pro., 1865, p. 12, 

10. A By-Law which provides that " every Brother 
raised shall be admitted a member at his own request, 
if made within two months after being raised ; other- 
wise a ballot shall be had which shall require a two- 
thirds vote to admit him," is erroneous. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 17. 

11. The power to dispense with the time necessary 
for the candidate's application to lie over, exists alone 
in the Grand Master and his Deputies. The Lodge 
has no such right even by unanimous vote. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 39. 

12. A By-Law w T hich provides as follows: 
" Should any Brother have been known to speak or 
act disrespectfully of Masonry in general, or of this 
Lodge in particular, he shall not be admitted therein 
either as a member or visitor, until," etc., is errone- 
ous, because as to visitors, any member has a right ' 

1 This right is subject to the qualification of the Resolve adopted by the 
Grand Lodge, Dec, 1870. Vide Constitutions, page 69. — T. P. C. 



1 6 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

to object to a visiting Brother sitting in the Lodge, 
upon the general principle that a visitor cannot unseat 
a member. But as to members, thev have a right to 
sit in the Lodge ; if they have committed any offence 
to deprive them of the rights and privileges of mem- 
bership, they must be tried. :Prila - Pro -> 186<8 > pp- so > 4 °« 

13. A By-Law providing for the appointment of 
committees to investigate private quarrels or animosi- 
ties between two Brethren, is erroneous. The Lodge 
is not an inquisitorial Court, to sit and decide upon 
the kind or unkind feelings of its members toward 

each Other. Prim. Fro., 1866, pp. SO, 4®. 

14. A By-Law, providing that " no member or 
visiting Brother shall be admitted into this Lodge, if 
he is in the least degree intoxicated, or who is in the 
common practice of using intoxicating drink as a bev- 
erage, or who is engaged in any illegal traffic (if 
within our knowledge), or who does not sustain a 
good moral character," is erroneous. No Brother can 
be deprived of any of the rights of membership in 
such a manner. He is entitled to a trial upon charges 
presented, before he can be so deprived. 

Priii. Pro., 186©, p. 41. 

15. By-Laws should contain no reference to politi- 
cal matters. Priii. Pro., 1866, p. 42. 

16. A By-Law providing that the Sentinel shall 
attend the inner door, under the direction of the Senior 
Warden, is erroneous. The W. Master alone has 
control of the ingress and egress of a Brother after the 
Lodge is open. The Masonic method of gaining 
entrance to a Lodge, whether by a member or visitor, 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 17 

is for the Tyler to send the name in through the Sen- 
tinel or Deacon, and obtain permission of the VV. 
Master, before permitting the Brother to pass. 

Prin. Fro., 1868, p. 15. 

17. A By-Law providing that certain officers ' ' shall 

be appointed by the Master, and confirmed by the 

Lodge at the annual meeting," is erroneous. The W. 

Master has the sole and exclusive power of appointing 

to office, and his selection cannot be affected by any 

act of the Lodge. The VV. Master cannot be curtailed 

in his ancient and constitutional powers by such By- 
Law. Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 44. 

18. A By-Law providing for the filling of vacancies 
in office " at the first regular meeting after they occur, 
by ballot or appointment as they were originally filled," 
is erro7teous. When an officer is installed he must 
retain his station until his successor is installed. A 
vacancy can only occur by death, or by the act of the 
Grand Master or Grand Lodge, and can only be filled 
by an election under dispensation. If the vacancy be 
occasioned by death, the W. Master has the right, 
temporarily, to appoint a Brother ; but such Brother 
succeeds to none of the rights and powers of the 
deceased officer. An election can be held to fill the 
vacancy only by dispensation from the Grand Master. 

Pi*in. Pro., 1866, p. 24, 187©, p. 117. 

19. 1 A By-Law which provides for suspension 01 
expulsion of a member without trial is erroneous. 

Prin. Pro., I860, p. 128. 

1 When the words suspension and expulsion are used alone, they refer to 
the rights and privileges of Masonry, and not to membership in a Lodge. 



1 8 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

20. The following words in a By-Law, viz. : " Any 
Brother w T ho recommends an applicant for the degrees 
may withdraw such application previous to balloting, 
with the unanimous consent of the Lodge," are errone- 
ous, and must be stricken out. Prin - Pro -> *870, p. 117. 

21. From a By-Law concerning the initiation of 
candidates, the following words were stricken out as 
erroneous, viz. : u In the absence of the Master and 
Wardens no candidate shall be initiated, passed, or 
raised, unless a Past Master is present to preside." 

Prin. Pro., 1870, p. 117. 

22. A By-Law which provides that u Any member 
divulging the transactions of the Lodge, or otherwise 
offending against the principles of the Institution, shall 
be liable to reprimand, suspension, or expulsion, in 
accordance with the provisions of the Grand Lodge 
Constitutions, is valid. ****• Fro " 187 °> p- 133 ' 

23. A By-Law providing that " If important 
business occur to prevent the election of officers at that 
time, a special meeting for the purpose shall be held 
as soon as practicable," is erroneous. 

Prin. Pro., 187©, p. 164. 

24. A By-Law providing that " Any member who 
shall slander or abuse a Brother, or speak disrespect- 
fully of the Craft," and defining the punishment for 
such offence, is erroneous, unless the following words 
be added, " In accordance with the provisions of the 
Grand Constitutions." :pria - 3?ro " 18W > P- 165 - 

25. The provision in a By-Law for the payment by 
the initiate of a fee for a Grand Lodge Diploma is 
erro7ieous. As the Grand Lodge Diplomas are fur- 






Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 19 

nished gratuitously to the subordinate Lodges, it seems 
only just and proper that they should be furnished to 
the initiate without expense to him, and if a fee to the 
Secretary be exacted it should come from the Lodge, 
and not from the candidate. Mn - Pro -> 18 ^> P- 165 - 

26. A By-Law which provides that no member 
shall be entitled to vote on any question so long as there 
appears any balance against him for dues, unless 
permitted by the Lodge, is erroneous. 

Priia. Pro., IS TO, p. 165. 

27. A By-Law which provides that ' 4 the Officers of 
the Lodge shall be chosen at the first Communication in 
July ; if prevented at that time, at the earliest possible 
convenience thereafter, " is erro7ieous. It should pro- 
vide that in case the election in July is prevented, it 
should occur " at such time as the Grand Master, by 
dispensation, shall order." Pri11 - Pro -> 1§70 > P- * 31 - 

28. A By-Law providing that the members shall 
be notified of all meetings at which candidates are to 
be balloted for, and in all other cases at the discretion 
of the Master, is erroneous. Prila - Pro -> 187 °> P- 333 - 

29. By-Laws cannot give the W. Master power to re- 
move any officer of the Lodge. Pri31 - :Pro -? i§ ^°> P- 332 « 

30. The words in a By-Law, relating to the time of 
election of officers, " unless prevented by some unfore- 
seen event, in which case it shall be in the power of 
the Master to assign another evening in the same 
month," must be stricken out as erroneous. 

Prill. Pro., 1870, p. 27G. 

31. A By-Law which deprives a member of his 
membership until his dues are paid is inoperative 



20 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

without the addition of the following words, "he hav- 
ing received proper notice of such proposed action." 

Frin. Fro., 1872, p. 289. 

32. A By-Law in relation to the withdrawal of an 
application for the degrees, which contains the follow- 
ing words, viz : " Without the unanimous consent of 
the members present when the request for withdrawal 
is made," is erroneous. The withdrawal cannot 
be made even with such consent. 

PriM. Pro., 1872, p. 28©. 

SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS. 

33. A Lodge has no right to suspend its By-Laws 
for the purpose of acting on any particular question. 
The power to suspend would, for all practical pur- 
poses, be equivalent to the power to alter or amend. 

C. W. M., vol. 2, p. 165. 

34. The power to suspend a By-Law resides in the 
Grand Master, and in certain cases in his Deputy ; but 
nowhere else, unless otherwise determined by the 
Grand Lodge. c - w - M -> vo1 - 12 > p- 35 *« 

35. A Lodge has an undoubted right to establish 
the terms on which membership can be obtained, and 
to make a strict compliance with them the condition 
on which it alone can be retained ; provided the regu- 
lations are not inconsistent with the Constitutions of the 
Grand Lodge, or the ancient regulations and usages of 
the Fraternity. c - w - M -> vol « ®> P- lcl - 

OF LODGES U. D. 

36. The By-Laws of Lodges under dispensation are 
binding as soon as made, upon the persons adopting 
them. c.w. M.,voi. 9, p. 228. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 21 

CALLING OFF. (See Lodge.} 

CANDIDATE. (See Advancement, Apron, Ballot, 
Blind Man, Minor.) 

i . The provision of the Constitutions respecting the 
recommendation of candidates is to be construed as 
relating to their character. Kec - 1799 > Marcu 11. 

WHO IS A. 

2. The signer of an application on presenting it to 
the Master becomes a candidate. He has done all 
that he could to that end. The Master may properly 
place his name upon the notices for the meeting, that 
it may be in condition to be acted upon by the Lodge. 
Nor does this course deprive the Lodge of the privi- 
lege, if the members see fit, of rejecting the application 
without submitting it to a ballot. 

Prin. Pro., 1863, p. 22. 

INITIATION OF. 

3. The Grand Lodge may make rules regarding 
the initiation of candidates without interfering with 
the prerogatives of the Grand Master. 

Prim. Pro., 1863, p. 22. 

RESIDENCE. 

4. Where the applicant permitted himself to be 
taxed in a town, and not only paid the tax without 
protest, but voted as a citizen and resident of the town, 
and became enrolled there as liable to military service, 
without objection on his part, there is evidence of the 



22 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

acts of the applicant which unmistakably shows that he 
considered himself a resident of that town. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 22. 

5. The fitness of a candidate for the degrees is not 
to be examined by the Grand Lodge, at least unless 
specific charges are presented. 

Prin. Pro., 1870, p. 122. 

JURISDICTION OVER. 

6. The Lodge within the limits of his residence 
shall take the sole responsibility of deciding between 
him and the Fraternity, as to his fitness to receive the 

decrees. Prin. Pro., 1872, p. ©2. 

7. When objections are made to the conferring of 
the degrees (upon a candidate who has been admitted) 
under Sect. 7, Art. 3, Part 4 of the Grand Constitu- 
tions, and a committee of the Lodge has been ap- 
pointed to hear and consider the objections, and the 
committee report to the Lodge, which by a majority 
vote accepts the report, viz. : that the objections are 
not valid, and should not prevent the initiation of the 
candidate.; such action of the Lodge is regular and 
conclusive, — or, in other words, the Lodge itself is 
the only tribunal to try and determine such objections. 
A petition to the Grand Lodge to reopen the cause and 
try it before the Grand Lodge cannot be granted. 

Prin. Pro., 1877, pp. 217-220. 

8. A Lodge cannot require from a candidate for 
the degrees a pledge to abjure the use of intoxicating 
drinks. Had the Brethren limited the effect of this 
resolution to the admission of ?nembers, the prohibition 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 23 

would not have been a matter of debate, because every 
Lodge has an undoubted right to make its own regula- 
tions. They have not, however, the right to prescribe 
qualifications for admission into the Fraternity which 
are not recognized by the Constitutions and usages of 
the Craft. € - w - M -> vo1 - *> P- ~*°- 

9. A subordinate Lodge has the right to initiate a 
candidate who has been initiated in a spurious Lodge, 
without the consent of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 2, p. 165. 

10. No motion to reconsider after the ballot has 
been declared can be entertained. The Lodge can- 
not reconsider the ballot. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 1©? ; vol. 8, p. 6© ; vol. 9, p. 22© ; 

vol. 13 9 p. 4:>. 

ii. The practice of withdrawing the application 
before the ballot is a wrong and dangerous practice, 
— one which is neither sanctioned by the regulations, 
nor authorized bv the usages of the Institution. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 193. 

12. A Brother vouching for a candidate rnav With- 
er J 

draw his voucher at any time before action has been 
had on the application by the Lodge, and properly be- 
fore it has been publicly read by the Master or Secre- 
tary. He cannot do so at the meeting at which the 
ballot is to be taken, nor at any time subsequent to the 
Communication at which the candidate was first pro- 
posed. The vouching Brother may, however, state to 
the Lodge, before the ballot is taken, that he signed 
the application under misapprehension, or that he does 
not now wish to be considered as recommending him. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 294. 



24 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

13. The rejection of a candidate for membership 
does not affect his standing as a Mason. He may 
visit the Lodge, and other Lodges, until charges are 
preferred against him. c - w - M -> vol. 5, p. 205. 

14. The admission of an individual incapable of 
writing his own name would not be in violation of 
any fundamental law of the Institution. By the an- 
cient standards no literary qualifications are required. 

€. W. M., vol. O, p. 164. 

15. Minors must not be proposed for the degrees. 
The candidate must be twenty-one years old when re- 
ceived. His age is required to be stated in his peti- 
tion c. w. M., vol. 10, p. 200. 

16. 1 A man who has lost his right arm cannot be 
made a Mason. c - w - M -> vo1 - 22 > P- 192 - 



PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS OF. 

17. There is no objection to the reception of a can- 
didate who cannot hear well, but can hear distinctly 
the whisper of one with whom he has been in the 
habit of conversing. c - w - m -> vo1 - 7 > P- los5 - 

WITHDRAWAL OF PETITION OF. 

18. If the candidate has been admitted he may be 
permitted, after the ballot, to withdraw his petition. 

C. W. M., vol. 7, pp. 231-2. 

19. When a petition is presented, to be passed and 
raised, by one who brings a certificate from a sister 
Lodge that he has been regularly initiated, the Mas- 

• ■ * — — — • — — 

1 See Constitutions. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 25 

ter must appoint a committee of investigation as to his 
character, if the By-Laws require such committee in 
cases of original petition for the degrees. The appli- 
cation is to be treated as though the petitioner had 
never entered a Lodge. c - w - M -> vo1 - °> p- 192 - 

20. A member is not at liberty to propose for 
admission whom he pleases, without consent of the 
Lodge ; nor is the Lodge under obligation to receive a 
petition. If objection be made, it can be received 
only by vote of the Lodge. € - w - M -> vo1 - °> p- 2 ° 2 - 

21. A candidate once admitted is entitled to the 
degrees, unless it can be shown to the satisfaction of 
the Lodge that he is unworthy to receive them. He 
may be rightfully debarred the privilege of advancing 
to a superior degree for any cause that, if known, 
would have prevented his admission to the first degree. 
Of the sufficiency of the reason the Lodge is to de- 
termine. c - w - M -> vol « 9 > p- 22 *« 

22. If a Brother, in voting on an application for 
the degrees, being influenced by private pique, dis- 
closes the manner of his voting, and submits the mo- 
tives by which he is actuated to the decision of a 
committee, he surrenders the protection which the 
secret ballot gives him, and is bound by the decision of 
the committee when confirmed by the Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 9, p. 3©3. 

23. After the report of the committee on the 
petition of a candidate for the degrees has been re- 
ceived and a ballot has been taken, the committee is 
discharged. c - w - M -> vo1 - 13 > P- 17 °- 

24. A Lodge cannot take advantage of the absence 



26 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

of a member to make a Mason of one who had been 
previously rejected, against the well-known wishes 
and feelings of the absent member. 

C. W. M., vol. 22, p. 352. 

25. The vote on the proficiency of the candidate 
is by a show of hands, a majority determining the 
matter. € * w# M# > vol# 26 > P # 223# 

26. A candidate must be notified of his rejection 
by the Secretary, who is the official medium of com- 
munication between a Lodge and all having business 
w ith it. c » w - m '9 vol » 27 > p« 36S « 



REQUISITIONS OF. 

27. The candidate for degrees must believe in the 
existence of a Supreme Being and in the immortality 
of the soul. He must be free-born, of lawful age, of 
sound mind, and of such physical qualifications as will 
enable him to comply with all the requirements of the 
r itual. c * w « m '> vo1 - 32 > P- 3 ° 5 - 



WITHDRAWAL OF PETITION OF. 

28. A petition, having been presented and referred, 
cannot be withdrawn, but must be acted upon by 
report of committee and ballot ; provided that, if at 
any time before or after the ballot, and before initia- 
tion, it is discovered that the petitioner does not live 
within the jurisdiction of the Lodge, or is not of lawful 
age, further proceedings must be stopped and the peti- 
tion dismissed for want of jurisdiction. 

C. W. M., vol. 32, p. 305. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 27 

CER TIFICA TE. (See Candidate. ) 

CHARGES. (See Expulsion, Offence, Trial.) 

i . A charge that " Bro. is hereby charged with 

wronging and defrauding Brother Master Masons," with 
no specification, is insufficient Ml1 - Pro -> 186 ®> *• S9 ' 

2. The charge must be distinctly made against the 
respondent, and must not be a mere recital that a 
charge is preferred. ]Prin - Pro -> 1869 > p- ® 4 - 

3. If there be no specifications, such as allegations 
of time, place, or circumstance, the charge is insuf- 
ficient. Prin. Pro., 187©, p. 119. 

4. A Brother can be tried only upon the charges 
preferred. It is not competent for a Lodge to arraign 
a member on a specific charge, and then try him on 
another of which he is not accused. 

C. W. M., vol. 9, p. 60. 

RIGHTS OF BROTHER UNDER. 

5. The Brother is not, as a consequence, deprived of 
any of the rights or privileges which belong to him as a 
Mason in good standing before the trial. The offence 
must be proved before the penalty can be exacted. 
The mere allegation is not sufficient. 

C. W. M., vol. 11, p. 37. 

6. A Brother under charges is presumed to be 
innocent until proved to be otherwise. 

C. W. M., vol. IT, p. 156. 

BY WHOM MADE. 

7. One who is not a member of the particular 
Lodge may prefer charges against one who is a member. 

C. W. M., vol. IS, p. 352. 



28 Digest of Masonic Laiv of the 

8. It is the right and duty of every Brother to 
prefer charges himself, if he have any to make. 

C. TV. M., vol. 23, p. 192. 

CHARITY. 

i. The charity funds contributed by the Lodges to 
the Grand Lodge are to *be kept for purposes of 
charity only, and the accounts of such funds are to be 
kept separate. 

Bee, 1755, vol. 1, p. 57, Rec, 1819, March lO. 

2. The Grand Lodge will not place its charity 
fund in the hands of a subordinate Lodge. It would 
be establishing a bad precedent, inasmuch as it would 
be placing funds at the disposal of the subordinate, 
over the appropriations of which the Grand Lodge 
would have no control. It would also be deviating 
from the usual practice of the Grand Lodge, which has 
been to act upon the petition of individuals, and to 
grant such relief as their respective claims demand 
with reference to the financial ability of the Grand 

Lodge. Kec, 1814, I>ec. 27. 

CHARTER. (See Grand Lodge, Offence.*) 

i. This Grand Lodge will not grant a charter of 
erection to any Lodge outside of this Commonwealth, 
where another ' Grand Lodge has jurisdiction. 

Bee., 1794, Quar. Com., Sept. lO. 
FORFEITURE OF. 

2. The appropriation and use by the officers of a 
Lodge of its Charter for purposes and designs not con- 

1 *.*.-, of this rite of Masonry. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 29 

templated by the Grand Lodge, as for the purpose of 
conferring and receiving other degrees in Masonry 
than those known to the Grand Lodge, will cause a 
forfeiture of the Charter. »«*>•> 18 ° 8 > Jiane 13 - 

SURRENDER OF BY GRAND LODGE. 

3. The Grand Lodge may surrender its Charter 
to the Legislature of the Commonwealth, and resume 
its condition as a Voluntary Association. 

Rec, 1833, I>ec. 17. 

4. Where a Charter has been abandoned and the 
property of the Lodge divided (illegally) by the mem- 
bers, on petition for a restoration of the Charter the 
Lodge must demand the immediate repayment of all 
the money or property thus taken by every one who 
was a member at the time of surrender. 

Rec, 1844, Marcli 13. 

5. A person who was a member of a Lodge which 
has been dissolved, who unlawfully withholds the 
Charter, and other property formerly belonging to said 
Lodge, from the Grand Lodge, and is contumacious 
in his conduct towards their officer sent to demand the 
said property, may, upon his own acknowledgment 
of the possession of the Charter and property and his 
refusal to give them up, be expelled by the Grand 
Lodge without formal trial. Kec -> 1S48 > Jwne 14 - 

6. A Brother who has received the degrees in a 
Lodge prior to the surrender of its Charter cannot 
have the right of membership in that Lodge solely 
because the Charter is restored, without any ballot, fee, 
or signing of the By-Laws. The restoration of the 



30 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

Charter confers no rights or privileges which he did 
not enjoy previous to its surrender. 

Priii. Pro., 1844, p. 31. 

7. The same fee must be paid into the Treasury 
of the Grand Lodge as is required by the Constitu- 
tions for issuing a new Charter, unless otherwise 
ordered by a vote of the Grand Lodge. 

Piin. Pro., 1858, p. 19. 

8. Brethren whose names are omitted in the resto- 
ration of the Charter of a Lodge which has been 
cancelled cannot, under the provision of the Constitu- 
tions, visit or join any Lodge without special permission 
of the Grand Lodge obtained on memorial. 

Op. of G. M. Gardner, 1871, p. SO. 

9. The Grand Lodge does not issue Charters to 
Brethren made in the Lodge while under Dispensation, 
or include such names in the Charter unless for special 
reasons. 3Pril1 - :Pro -' 1S72 > p- lls - 

10. The mere circumstance that an unworthy 
Brother has gained admission to the Lodge, and been 
elected its Master, does not of itself furnish sufficient 
cause for the revocation of its Charter. But if the 
Brethren have knowingly and wilfully, and in violation 
of their obligations to the Grand Lodge, admitted an 
expelled member and placed him in the chair, the 
Charter should be revoked and the members held to 
account. c. w. m., vol. 7, p. 74. 

PRESENCE OF IN LODGE. 

ii. It should be present for convenience and by 
usage, necessity it may be, yet not that stringent 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 3 1 

necessity the neglect of which would stay the pro- 
ceedings of the Lodge or render them illegal. 

C. W. M., vol. 14, p. 196. 

SUSPENSION OF. 

12. 1 The suspension of a Charter is not a suspen- 
sion of the members of its Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 18, p. 78. 
CHILI. (See Grand Lodge, Recog?iition.} 

CITY. 

The Grand Lodge has the right to determine in the 
Charter in what part of a city or town a Lodge may 
meet. Where there is no such limitation of locality in 
the Charter, if the members of the Lodge desire to 
change the place of meeting within the town or city 
designated by their Charter, they may make the change 
by a majority vote. Prin - Pro > 1S71 > P- 10 °- 

CLANDESTINE. (See Healing.) 

LODGE. 

This Grand Lodge recognizes no body of Masons as 
having the authority to constitute Lodges of symbolic 
Masonry, except the legally constituted Grand Lodge 
of the State within whose jui'isdiction said subordinate 
Lodges may be located. All Lodges which have 
been constituted by any other body of Masons than 
the Grand Lodge aforesaid, and who acknowledge any 
other jurisdiction than that of the said Grand Lodge, 

1 Vide Const., Part 3, Art. 3, Sec. 3. 



34 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

5. The respondent cannot be lawfully convicted of 
any offence less or other than that charged in the 
specification. The complainant may present as many 
specifications as he pleases, but the respondent may 
not be held to answer to a charge which is not con- 
tained in a specification actually presented. 

Pain. Fro., 1ST©, p. 129. 

6. Extracts from minutes of civil or ecclesiastical 
courts are not sufficient, of themselves, to justify 
expulsion. Convictions in such courts are not to be 
received as conclusive of guilt. 

C. W. M., vol. 7, pp. 321-5. 
CORPORA TION. (See Incorporation.) 

DEBT. 

OF LODGE. 

i . The Grand Lodge pays no debts contracted by 
any subordinate Lodge. Rec -> 1832 > ® ec - 13 ' 

NON-PAYMENT OF. 

2. Something more than a mere failure to pay just 
and honest debts is necessary to constitute an offence 
against the laws of Masonry. There must be a wilful 
withholding of just dues, or at least a culpable negli- 
gence on the part of the debtor. Bec -> 1854 > Jw]ae 14 ' 

3. The non-payment of debts alone is not an 
offence. The intent to wrong and defraud must 
clearly appear. 



Friit. Fro., 1869, p. 31. 



DEGREES. (See Candidate.) 

i. Where a person has rooms in one place, to 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 35 

which he occasionally returns, but works in another 
place, he considering the former place as his home, 
although he seems to have no settled residence, and 
has given the Brethren of the latter place reason to 
think lie considered that his home, the degrees may 
be lawfully conferred upon him by a Lodge in the 

former place. Prin. Pro., 1S50, p. 1®. 

PETITION FOR. 

2. One written petition is all that can be properly 
required of any candidate for all the degrees conferred 
in a Lodge, if he wishes to receive all the degrees in 
one Lodge, and in regular time. c. w.m., vol.©, p. 384. 

DEMIT. 

1. A member demitted from a Lodge must bear a 
certificate that he has paid all dues to the former 
Lodge, and received an honorable discharge. 

Prin. Pro., 1842, p. 16. 

2. Masons from abroad applying for membership 
here must have a demit from the Lodge of which they 
had previously been members, if such Lodge is in 
existence. c. W.M., vol. 3, p. iio. 

OF MEMBERS, HOW ACCOMPLISHED. 

3. A demit or discharge of a member may be 
granted by a hand vote. But, if a ballot be required 
by the By-Laws, a majority vote is sufficient, unless 
otherwise provided in the By-Laws. 

C. W. M., vol. 12, p. 224. 



36 Digest of Masonic Laiv of the 

4. A demit is simply the severance of Lodge mem- 
bership, and is complete when the Brother has paid 
his dues and the Lodge has by vote consented to such 
severance. The act of the Lodge severs the member- 
ship, not the issuing of the certificate by the Secretary. 
This is merely evidence of the fact. 

C. W. M., vol. 24, p. 290. 

DEMITTED BROTHER. 

TRIAL OF. 

The trial of a demitted Brother, not being a mem- 
ber of any Lodge, for an offence against the Lodge 
from which he was demitted, may be had by the 
Lodge nearest his residence, or in the manner pro- 
vided by the Constitutions of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. ©, p. 303. 

DEMITTED MEMBERS. (See Non-Affiliates.) 
RIGHTS OF TO CHARITY FUND. 

Such Brethren have not a good claim upon the 
charity funds of the Lodges, neither have they upon 
the general charity fund of the Grand Lodge. 

C. TV. M., vol. 6, p. 322. 
DEPOSITION. (See Conviction, Trial.) 
DIFFERENCES. (See Brethren.) 
DIPLOMA. (See By-Laws.) 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 37 

DISCIPLINARY PO WER. (See Offence:) 
OF LODGES. EXTENT OF. 

1 The Lodge possesses the power to punish, by sus- 
pension or expulsion, any violation of the moral law 
or the civil law, whether the act or wrong done be 
toward individual Masons, or a Body of Masons, or 
toward any other person. c - w - M -> vol « ls > p- 354 - 

DISPENSA TIOJV. (See By-Law, Charter, Officers. ) 
POWER OF DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS. 

i. They have the power to grant dispensations, to 
submit applications to the ballot, and to confer the 
degrees at the Communication when the application is 
first brought before the Lodge ; but they cannot dis- 
pense with notice to the Brethren, and an examination 
into the applicant's character, and a clear ballot. 

Prim. Pro.. 1863, p. 24. 



2. No Lodge under Dispensation is empowered to 
make members. Prto - Pro -' 18V1 > p- 152 - 

3. A Dispensation does not invest the Brethren 
holding it with the power and privileges of a regular 
Lodge. The Master can take the chair and confer 
the degrees, but cannot be installed. Neither consti- 
tution nor installation can take place under Dispensa- 
tion €. W. M., vol. 5, pp. 164, 5. 

1 Vide Constitutions as to Commissioners of Trials. 



40 Digest of Masonic Lazv of the 

gency, and to determine their necessity, belongs to the 
executive officers of the Grand Lodge, not to the sub- 
ordinate Lodge. The dispensing power belongs only 
to the Grand Lodge. c - w - M -> vo1 - 12 > p- *«•• 

EMERGENT. 

COMMUNICATIONS OF LODGE. 

It is not competent for an indefinite number of 
members, who happen to be convened together, to hold 
an emergent Communication and forthwith open the 
Lodge, — not even though a Grand Officer be present. 
Emergent Communications should be called in the 
usual way. c - w - M *> vo1 - T > p- 162 « 



ENTERED APPRENTICES. (See Expulsion, 
Funeral.} 

A Lodge of Master Masons has entire jurisdiction 
over all the degrees it is authorized to confer ; and as 
it admits Entered Apprentices 1 and Fellow-Crafts, it 
may, for sufficient cause, expel them, subject to the 
regulations of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 296 ; vol. 9, p. 228. 

E VIDENCE. (See Conviction, Jurisprudence, Testi- 
mony.} 

IN TRIALS. 

i. The evidence is to be confined strictly to the 
issues, excluding hearsay. Pril *- Pro -> 1869 > *• 28 - 

2. Evidence should be direct, not argumentative. 

Priia. Fro., 1869, p. 29. 

i Vide Const., Art. 4, Sect. 5. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 41 

3. A document introduced without oath, or the 
sanction of any Masonic obligation, is inadmissible as 

evidence. Priii. Pro., I860, p. 142. 

4. The record must disclose the evidence offered in 
support of the charge. Prin - Fro > 1S71 > P* 272 - 

5. When it is charged that the respondent em- 
bezzled, or wrongfully detained and appropriated to 
his own use, moneys, etc., the evidence must show the 
guilty animus^ or wrongful and fraudulent intent of 
the respondent. ^ rin - Pro -> 18T3 > pp- 3I *-6. 

6. The records and reports of the Grand Lodge 
are competent evidence. Prin - Fro »> 1ST4 > p- 77 - 

7. The evidence must correspond with the allega- 
tions of the complaint. Prin - **••» 18 ^, p. 25. 

EXCL US I ON. (See Lodge. ) 

OF JEWS. 

The exclusion from the privileges of Masonry of 
any class of men who believe in the existence and 
moral government of the Supreme Being is contrary 
to the genius of the Institution. It is an assumption 
of power not sanctioned by the ancient usages of the 
Craft. PriM - Pr °v 1843, P . 13. 

EXPELLED MASON. 

1. The right of appeal, in cases of discipline, from 
the decision of a subordinate Lodge is guaranteed to 
every Mason by the ancient usages and laws of the 
Fraternity. This right implies a power in the Grand 



42 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

Lodge to confirm, modify, or reverse the decision of 
the subordinate. If the Grand Lodge send the case 
back to the subordinate for a new trial, the Lodge is 
bound to submit. c - w - M -> vol « °> pp- 2S5 > •• 

RESTORATION. OF. 

2. After an expelled member has been restored by 
the Grand Lodge, the action of the subordinate Lodge 
does not continue in force against him further than it 
may deprive him of the privileges of actual member- 
ship. The Lodge may try him for a second offence, 
but not again for the former one. 

€. W. M., vol. 1©, p. 98. 

3. An expelled Mason cannot be restored on his 
mere verbal application. His only remedy is to send 
in a petition in writing to the Lodge. The expulsion 
terminated the membership, and the restoration does 
not renew it. The Brother must apply for member- 
ship as though he had never been a member. 

C. W. M., vol. 16, p. 111. 

4. The vote of the Lodge recommending restora- 
tion should be unanimous, and the restoration must be 
confirmed by the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M; vol. 25, pp. 357-9. 

EXPULSION, (See Charter, Confess ion. Offences, Sus- 
pension, Trials.) 

i. A Secretary of a Lodge may be expelled for 
violating his obligation and honor as a Mason, by 
selling the seal of the Lodge and fraudulently with- 
holding from the Treasurer the money of the Lodge 
and absconding with the same. »ec, I8O8, June 1:1. 






Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 43 

2. A member of a Lodge who was actively con- 
cerned with other persons in counterfeiting bank- 
notes and feloniously passing the same, and was 
instrumental in seducing others from the path of 
honesty, the facts appearing not only from evidence, 
but by his own confession, may be expelled, although 
he may be exonerated from legal punishment. 

Rec, 18G8, June 13. 

3. For a gross violation of the laws and regulations 
of Masonry a Brother may be expelled. 

Rec, I8O8, Sept. 12. 

4. For dividing among themselves the funds and 
property of a Lodge upon its dissolution, and refusing 
to obey the summons of the Grand Lodge in relation 
thereto, the members concerned therein may be ex- 
pelled. Bee, 1812, I>ee 14. 

5. The expulsion will not be approved by the 
Grand Lodge unless the crime be specifically set forth. 

Bee, 1813, Marcli 8. 

6. Where a Brother who was a Collector of Taxes 
was expelled for having charged and collected from 
several Brethren and their widows larger sums than 
had been legally assessed, the expulsion was con- 
firmed. Bee, 1813, Dec. 13. 

7. A Brother may be expelled for cruelty to his 
wife in her last sickness. Rec -> 181 °> 1>ec ' 9 - 

8. The charges against the respondent must ap- 
pear sufficiently proved to warrant his expulsion. 
The Lodge must furnish the necessary proof. 

Bee, 1819, June IO ; Sept. 8. 

9. Intemperance furnishes a sufficient reason for 

expulsion. Bee, 1829, March 11. 



44 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

FROM MEMBERSHIP. 

10. No Lodge can wisely or justifiably admit to 
membership a Brother known to have been expelled 
from membership in any other Lodge for dishonorable 
conduct, at least until he shall have given plenary and 
satisfactory evidence of his contrition and amendment. 

Prin. Pro., 1828, p. 1®. 

ii. The record must state whether the Brother 
was expelled from membership or from the rights and 
privileges of Masonry. Prin. Pro., 1S67, p. 27. 

RIGHT OF. 

12. The power of expulsion is a general power de- 
rived from the ancient Constitutions and practices of the 
Fraternity, and can neither be abrogated nor abridged 
by the special enactments of any local Masonic Asso- 
ciation. Co ^* -^ 2 - , » vol » I5 PP» 33-37. 

13. Expulsion from the higher degrees, for what- 
ever cause, cannot work as an expulsion from the 
degrees over which the Grand Lodge of a State holds 
an independent and exclusive prerogative. The con- 
verse of the proposition does not hold. A Brother 
expelled from a Lodge would be excluded from all the 
rights and privileges of Masonry, whether embraced 
in the degrees of the Chapter or Orders of Knight- 
hood, because R. A. Masons and Knights Templars 
are also Master Masons, and may not Masonically 
associate with an expelled Brother. But all Master 
Masons are not Knights Templars, and there is no 
existing regulation, nor can one be constitutionally 
made, by which a Brother of the Third Degree would 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 45 

be prohibited from Masonically associating with an ex- 
pelled Knight Templar so long as he holds his rank and 
standing as a Master Mason. € - w - m -> vbl - *> pp. 33-7. 

14. The Senior Grand Warden, or Acting Grand 
Master, is not deposed from his station in the Grand 
Lodge, in consequence of his expulsion from the Sub- 
ordinate Lodge of which he was a member. 

C. W. M., vol. 4, p. 3G. 

15. The power of the Grand Lodge to expel, for 
cause, any Mason residing within its jurisdiction, 
whether he be a member of a Lodge or not (under 
that or any other jurisdiction), is clear and indis- 
putable. c - w - M -> vol « 4 > p- 254 - 

FOR OFFENCE BEFORE INITIATION. 

16 The Lodge, after ascertaining the character of 
the candidate through the ordinary channels, takes 
him for better or for worse ; nor can it, as a general 
rule, put him off for any pre-existing cause. 

If a Brother, through fraud and falsehood, gain 
admission, this would probably be a sufficient cause 
for expulsion. c - w - M -> vo1 - 8 > p- 84 * 



17. The true rule as to expulsion is the English 
rule, which is, that the Grand Lodge only can expel 
or restore. The power to expel carries with it the 
power to restore. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, pp. 193-6 ; vol. 25, p. 38. 

1 8. The practice of gambling as a profession, ha- 
bitual drunkenness, and constant blasphemy, are im- 
moral and unmasonic, and justify expulsion. 

C. W. M., vol. 8, p. 355. 



46 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

FELL O W- CRAFT. (See Ent. Apprentices, Expul- 
sion, Funeral?) 

LODGES. 

The necessary officers of an Entered Apprentice's 
or Fellow-Craft Lodge are the Master, Wardens, and 
Deacons. The Treasurer and Secretary are officers of 
convenience, and not of necessity, in opening or work- 
ing a Lodge. c - w - M -> vo1 - **> p- 108 - 

FEMALE MASONS. 

Orders of Female Masons are not a branch of the 
institution of Freemasonry. Lodges can have no 
connection with such. 

Op. of G. M. Gardner, Prin. Pro., 1871, p» 24. 

FLRE. (See Dues.) 

The Grand Lodge will not establish the prece- 
dent to relieve from its treasury Lodges which have 
suffered loss by fire. 

Bee, 1857, March 11$ also Bee., 1858, March lO. 

FORELGN LANGUAGE. 

Masonry is cosmopolitan ; she requires her votaries 
to be of no particular tongue, nation, or sect. A 
Lodge may be chartered to work in a foreign lan- 
guage. Prin. Pro., 1854, p. 7. 

FRA UD. (See Dues, Expulsion, Offence.') 

An attempt at fraud upon the Grand Lodges of two 
sovereign States is an offence for which the offender 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 47 

may properly be brought to the bar of the subordinate 
Lodge of which he is a member, and there tried as 
for an offence against Masonry itself. 

Prin. Pro., 1874, p. 76. 

FREEB ORN. {Masonic meaning of. ) 

If a man is born of a bond-woman he is not free- 
born. The child takes the condition of the mother. 

C. W. M., vol. 24, p. 325. 

FUNDS. (See Charter.) 

OF LODGE. 

The division of the funds among the members of a 
Lodge after its dissolution is illegal. Kec, i8ii, June o. 

FUNERAL. (See Burial.) 

i. 1 Entered Apprentices and Fellow-Crafts are not 
entitled to move in a funeral procession of a deceased 
Mason. c - w - M -> vo1 - 3 > p- 18S - 

2. None but Master Masons can be allowed to 
walk in the procession as Masons. If this opinion be 
correct, it cannot be changed by Grand Lodge enact- 
ment. It rests on the fundamental regulations and 
usages of the Fraternity, to which Grand Lodges are 
subordinate. c * w - m -> vol « 5 > P- 32 « 

GRAND LODGE. (See Candidate, Charity, Char- 
ter, Cla?idcsti?ie, Exfiulsioii, Fire, Grand Master, Rec- 
ognition, Union.) 

i. The expenses of the Grand Lodge are to be 
paid by the 'several Lodges. Rec -> **55, Oct. 10. 

1 Vide Trestle-Board of Grand Lodge, p. 89, Burial Service. 



48 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

2. When a Lodge summoned to answer why its 
Charter should not be declared forfeited by reason of 
having sent to other Lodges a circular letter derogatory 
to the authority of the Grand Lodge, and in answer to 
the summons presented a written apology, the Grand 
Lodge accepted the apology and discharged all further 
proceedings. Rec -> 1814 > J*«*e 14. 

3. It would be inexpedient in any case for the 
Grand Lodge to loan money to a subordinate Lodge, 
and no application for such loan can be granted. 

Sec, 1816, Sept. 9. 

4. It is the unalterable and inalienable right of the 
Grand Lodge to require the personal attendance of 
any member of the Fraternity upon a regular summons, 
— a right which has been transmitted from an early 
period and is not to be questioned. 

Op. of Grand Master Oliver, Rec, 1818, Feb. 4. 
OF MAINE. 

5. As soon as the Congress of the United States 
declared the District of Maine a separate and indepen- 
dent State, and it was organized as such, the Lodges 
there were entitled to form an Independent Grand 

Lod°*e Rec, 1820, March 8. 



6. On complaint of Master Masons, the Grand 
Lodge may issue a summons to the party accused, and 
try and sentence him in Grand Lodge. 1 

Rec, 1846, Sept. 9. 

1 But see as to proper method now to be pursued, Const., Part 3, Art. 4. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 49 

7. A Grand Lodge legally formed and organized, 
has, from high antiquity, ample right to bear Masonic 
rule over those subject to its jurisdiction. It cannot be 
dissolved by the misconduct of the Grand Master. 
Much less can an individual, or any number of indi- 
viduals, of their own motion, declare the Grand 
Lodge dissolved, for any cause whatever. 

Pain. Pro., 1849, p. 18. 

8. The Grand Lodge may establish subordinate 
Lodges outside of its territory in countries and States 
where Grand Lodges of the York Rite do not exist, 
but not in any country where a Grand Lodge of the 
York Rite legitimately established exists. 

Op. of Gr. M. Gardner, Priii. Pro., I860, p. 38. 

AMERICAN DOCTRINE OF JURISDICTION. 

9. A Grand Lodge, when lawfully organized, in 
any State or Territory, has sole, absolute, and exclusive 
jurisdiction over the three Degrees of Craft Masonry, 
over the Lodges and their members, and over all 
Masons, unaffiliated as well as affiliated, in such 
State or Territory. No other Grand Lodge whatever 
can lawfully interfere with this jurisdiction, and can 
neither establish Lodges nor continue any authority 
which it might properly have exercised prior to the 
organization of such Grand Lodge therein. By the 
erection of a Grand Lodge in such State all Masonic 
powers, over what is popularly called Blue Masonry, 
are merged in it, and henceforth it exists therein, 
supreme and sovereign over a jurisdiction which it 
can neither divide nor share with any other Masonic 



50 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

Grand Body in the world. The several States of the 
U.S. of America, the Territories when legally organized 
as such by Congress, and the District of Columbia, are 
each recognized as separate and independent jurisdic- 
tions in which Grand Lodges may be established. 

Op. ofG. M. Gardner, Prin. Fro., 1870, p. 24. 
RECOGNITION OF A COLORED GRAND LODGE. 

10. The Munroe doctrine of //^-interference by 
the powers of the old world in the affairs of the new 
is recognized in the Masonic Institution. No inter- 
ference by foreign Masonic powers with our Masonic 
governments here in America will be tolerated. 

Op. ofG. M. Gardner, Prin. Pro., 1871, p. 233. 

IN TERRITORIES. 

ii. Grand Lodges which have been regularly 
formed by the union of three Lodges in a Territory 
legally constituted receive the recognition of this Grand 

Lodge. Prin. Pro., 1872, pp. 113-16. 

JURISDICTION OF. 

12. In Masonry the right of independence of the 
Masons of each political country has always been ad- 
mitted. When the organization of the Freemasons of 
a country has been once recognized by other Grand 
Lodges, the sovereignty and exclusive jurisdiction of the 
Body in that Territory are recognized and admitted ; 
and it would be a breach of comity to hold intercourse 
with, and a breach of faith to recognize, any rebellious 
or rival authority within the bounds, while the polit- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 5 1 

ical organization of the country remains unchanged. 
This has been the rule with our State Grand Lodges, 
and the foundation principle governing the action of 
the Masonic Bodies in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, 
and the two Canadas. Mn - Pro «> 18T6 > p- 6 °- 

JURISDICTION OF, IN THE UNITED STATES. 

13. It is a universal principle, everywhere recog- 
nized as valid, that every Grand Lodge in the world 
possesses an equal and common right in every king- 
dom or country, and its dependencies, wherein there 
is no Grand Lodge at the time existing. 

C. W. M., vol. 14, p. 262. 

14. Under the present Masonic policy of the coun- 
try the Grand Lodges of the Union conjointly claim 
an entire and absolute Masonic jurisdiction over the 
whole of the United States and their territories, as 
against all foreign interference. c - w - M -> vo1 - 14 « P- 259 - 



15. As a general rule, the authority and opera- 
tions of a Grand Lodge in this country are re- 
stricted to the geographical boundaries of the State or 
Territory within whose limits it is located and holds its 
Communications. But this is not unconditionally true, 
because it has never been questioned that a Grand 
Lodge possesses the inherent power to establish Lodges 
in any State or Territory where there is not already a 
Grand Lodge existing. Neither is the power of the 
Grand Lodge to establish Lodges in a foreign State, 
where there is no Grand Lodge existing, affected by 



52 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

the circumstance that there may be already within its 
borders regularly established Lodges, deriving their 
authority from contemporary sources ; because one 
Grand Lodge has no more just or stronger claim 
to vacant territory than another. 

C. W. M., vol. 7, pp. 33-9. 

1 6. Grand Lodge jurisdiction in the United States 
is threefold. First, over the State or Territory in 
which it is located. This jurisdiction is exclusive as 
against all other Grand Lodges or Masonic Powers 
over ancient Craft or symbolic Masonry. Second, 
coordinate and common jurisdiction in those States 
and Territories of the United States within whose limits 
an American Grand Lodge has not been lawfully and 
regularly established and exists. This is also exclusive 
as against all foreign Masonic Powers. Third, co- 
ordinate and common jurisdiction with the Grand 
Lodges of Europe, in those independent States, king- 
doms, or countries, wherein no native or local Grand 
Lodge of the same Rite is maintained. 

The territories or dependencies of any independent 
foreign State are to be regarded as included in the 
Masonic jurisdiction of such State. 

C. W. M., vol. 28, p. 353. 

RIGHTS OF, NOT AFFECTED BY MAJORITY. 

17. Neither the constitutional rights of the Grand 
Lodge, the usages of the Fraternity, nor the preroga- 
tives of the Grand Master can be successfully assailed 
and trampled under foot by any number of Lodges, 
however powerful and respectable, who may chance 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 53 

to be numerically or physically in the majority at a 
special or thinly attended session of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 9, p. XC53. 

18. Lodges dissatisfied with the decisions or laws 
of the Grand Lodge may surrender their Charters, 
but cannot set the authority of the Grand Lodge at 
defiance ; nor can they be allowed to assume the 
authority and prerogatives of the Grand Lodge in 
dereliction of their allegiance to the parent Body. 

C. W. M., vol. 9, p. 133. 

19. A Grand Lodge organized without the ex- 
istence of any subordinate Lodge is an irregular Body 
which cannot be recognized. c - w - m., vol. 1, p. 186. 

20. The Grand Lodge has no power to restore to 
membership an expelled Mason whose expulsion was 
by a Lodge working under the jurisdiction of another 
Grand Lodge. c - w - M -> vo1 - 3 > p- 119 - 

INITIATION OF FOREIGNERS. 

21. By general consent, a practice has obtained in 
this country equivalent to positive law, and no Grand 
Lodge would now be countenanced that should au- 
thorize or permit the initiation in its Lodges of persons 
from foreign jurisdictions. c * w * M -> vo1 - 22 > P* 318# 

NEW. SURRENDER OF CHARTER TO. 

22. It is not necessary nor usual in the formation 
of a new Grand Lodge for the constituent Lodges to 
surrender their Charters to the parent Body. In de- 
claring their independence and erecting a government 



54 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

for themselves the Lodges in West Virginia exercised 
a right inherent in them as lawfully constituted Lodges. 

C. W. M., vol. 24, pp. 226, T. 



23. The Grand Lodge has the right to impose a 
tax upon the members of its subordinates. 

C. W. M., vol. O, p. IOI. 

DUTY TO. 

24. The Lodges in the Territory must either sub- 
mit to the authority of the new Body or dissolve as 
Lodges. c# w# M -> vol# 24 > p* 338# 

GRAND LODGE JURISDICTION. (See 

Grand Lodge.} 

GRAND MASTER. (See Lodge.) 

1. A Grand Master, duly qualified, sitting in open 
Lodge, has, from high antiquity, ample right to bear 
Masonic rule in his Lodge, to exact and receive obe- 
dience and courteous deportment from all in the Lodge. 
None but the Grand Master, unless by his consent, can 
put any question to vote, or declare the result. 

A Grand Master may err ; he may act in gross vio- 
lation of Masonic law and usages ; but his misconduct 
can never dissolve a Grand Lodge, nor can it ever 
justify or excuse those in the Lodge in deposing him 
from his chair, usurping his legal authority, disobeying 
his commands, or treating him with disrespect. 

Prin. Pro., 1849, p. 18. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 55 

RIGHT TO MAKE MASONS AT SIGHT. 

2. It is doubtful whether the Craft in this Common- 
wealth would sustain a Grand Master in the exercise 
of the prerogative to make Masons at sight, unless it 
was apparent that an absolute necessity existed there- 
for, and not then, unless the making was in a regularly 
organized Lodge, and according to the forms and cer- 
emonies required by our ritual. 

Op. of G. M. Gardner, Prin. Pro., 1871, pp. 58, 9. 

3. One of the early books of Constitutions reserved 
the right to the Grand Lodge and the Grand Master, 
when the Grand Lodge is duly assembled, to make 
Masons at sight ; but does not authorize the Grand 
Master himself, nor by virtue of the presence of any 
given number of Brethren, to make Masons at all. 

The power of the Grand Master to make a Mason 
at sight (if exercised at all) must be exercised in 
Grand Lodge, duly assembled, and after due inquiry 
into his character and notice to the members. 

C. W. M., vol. 12, pp. 35, 213. 

POWER TO ISSUE MANDAMUS. 

4. The exercise of the high power of mandamus 
is necessary when a Lodge is insubordinate and 
denies the authority of the Grand Lodge. A manda- 
mus maybe issued by the Grand Master to the District 
Deputy Grand Master, commanding him to demand 
of the Master and Wardens of a Lodge the amount due 
from it upon a capitation tax assessed by the Grand 
Lodge, and on their neglect, to suspend the Lodge until 
otherwise ordered by the Grand Lodge. 

Prin. Pro., 1872, p. 229. 



56 Digest of Masonic Law of the 



SUSPENSION OF MASTER BY. 

5. The Grand Master may suspend from office, for 
grossly intemperate habits, the Master of a Lodge, and 
summon him to appear at the next Communication of 
the Grand Lodge, to show cause why he should not 
be dealt with according to the regulations and usages 
in such cases established. Prin - Fro -> 1873 > p- 11{5 - 



INJUNCTION BY. 

6. Upon complaint against a Lodge for improperly 
taking jurisdiction over a candidate for the degrees, the 
Grand Master may issue an injunction to restrain the 
Lodge from proceeding further until the matter shall 
be investigated. Pri11 - Fro -> 18T4 > P- 84 - 

SUSPENSION OF EODGE BY. 

7. The power of the Grand Master to suspend a 
Lodge for disobedience or irregularity in its proceed- 
ings is an innate power, and as such has been recog- 
nized by the Fraternity from time immemorial. It is, 
however, like all other great powers, one that should be 
used with forbearance. € - w - M -> vo1 - *> p- 139 - 

DERIVATION OF POWERS OF. 

8. The Grand Constitutions are not the only source 
of the power of the Grand Master. His powers are 
derived not only from them, but from the inherent 
usages and regulations of the Fraternity. All Grand 
Constitutions are themselves subordinate to the ancient 
laws of the Craft. c - w - M -> vol « 13 > p- 13 - 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 57 

9. The Grand Master is not clothed with a power 
over and above the authority of the Grand Lodge as 
the supreme Masonic authority, and he may be held 
responsible for a wrong done, c.w.m., vol. 12, pp. 07, 8. 

POWER TO PARDON OFFENCES. 

10. The Grand Master has no power to pardon in 
cases of wilful disregard of the regulations and author- 
ity of the Grand Lodge, or of violation of the estab- 
lished landmarks of Masonry, nor to remit the penalty 
which has been imposed by the Grand Lodge for such 
offences. c# w * M, > vol# 28 > p* 262 * 

GRAND WARDENS. 

RIGHT TO PRESIDE IN SUBORDINATE LODGE. 

1. If the visit be an official one the regulation is 
that, " in the absence of the Grand Master and his 
Deputy, the Senior or Junior Grand Warden may pre- 
side as Deputy in visiting Lodges, or in constituting 

new Lodges. Harris Mas. Const., p. 69. 

2. If the visit be an informal one, the Grand War- 
den will not be entitled to supersede the presiding 
Master. c - w * M *> vo1 * 2 > P* 227 * 

HEALING. (See Minor,) 

i. A petitioner who has been rejected by a Lodge 
in this jurisdiction, and afterward receives his degrees 
irregularly in a Lodge outside of this jurisdiction, is 
not entitled to be healed by the Grand Lodge, unless 



58 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

it appears that he received the degrees in the foreign 
Lodge in good faith, and without intent to violate the 

laws of this jurisdiction. Prin.Pro.,187», PP- 35,108,118. 

2. Whether a petition for formal healing can be 
granted to a non-resident Brother, simply for the pur- 
pose of enabling him to visit Lodges in this jurisdic- 
tion, qucere. Prin - Pro -> 18TO, pp. 35, ios, us. 

3. The petition for healing must show that the 
petitioner's irregular reception of the degrees pro- 
ceeded from a pardonable ignorance of our regulations, 
and, of course, with no intent to violate them ; that it 
was in good faith, and that he is, at least, prima facie, 
worthy of a lawful connection with the Fraternity, or, 
in other words, that his error was one of form alone. 

Fran. Pro., 1874, p. 13. 

4. Where a person had applied for the degrees to 
a Lodge in this jurisdiction, and was rejected, and 
afterward removed to another State and made applica- 
tion to a Lodge in the latter State, the application con- 
taining no clause in which the applicant should state 
whether or not he had before applied for the degrees, 
and the fact of his former application not being called 
to his attention, and where it also appeared that the 
Lodge in this jurisdiction by which he was rejected 
upon his former application had voted, after due notice, 
to approve the prayer of the petitioner for a formal 
healing, he was healed. Prin - Pro -' 1S7S > p- 10 - 

5. When the petitioner has acted in good faith, 
and has received his degrees irregularly, solely by the 
fault of a member of a Lodge which conferred them, 
he may be healed. Pril1 - Pro - 18 * 4 > p- 33 - 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 59 

6. The petitioner should aver and prove his igno- 
rance of the Masonic law in relation to rejected appli- 
cants for the degrees and the jurisdiction of the Grand 

Lodee. Prin. Pro., 1877, p. 190. 

NOT BY RESOLUTION. 

7. The healing of an irregularly made Mason by 
resolution is a violation of the fundamental principles 
of Masonry. c - w - M " vol « 10 > p- 273 - 

HONORARY MEMBERS. 

1. There are two classes of honorary membership. 
The first includes Brethren of other places or other 
Lodges. This class is entirely complimentary. It 
does not give the privileges or subject to the obliga- 
tions of active membership. The second class in- 
cludes Brethren elected as honorary members of the 
Lodge with which they were previously affiliated. 
This class may have all the privileges of active mem- 
bership, with exemption from quarterages, if they 
desire. c# w * M, > vol# 5 > P* 259. 

2. There are two kinds of honorary membership 
in this jurisdiction. First, a member of a Lodge may 
be made an honorary member to exempt him from 
assessments. Such an honorary member still retains 
all his privileges and loses none of his rights. 

The other is, where a member of one Lodge is 
made an honorary member of another, he still retain- 
ing his active membership in a different Lodge from 
that from which he derives his honorary membership. 
He cannot vote in the Lodge of which he is such an 



60 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

honorary member ; he cannot take part in its delibera- 
tions, nor be present at the trial of its members. He 
is entitled to none of its privileges, and is, in no sense, 
a member of such Lodge. Prin - Pro., 1865, pp. 12, 13. 

IMPEA CHMBNT. 

OF MASTER. 

1 If the Grand Master suspend the Master on com- 
plaint, he must be summoned at least fourteen days 
before the next Communication of the Grand Lodge 
to appear at that Communication. At the Communi- 
cation he should be solemnly called, and, if not pres- 
ent, the Grand Lodge will take such action upon his 
default as it may deem proper. If present, the 
charges should be read to him, and he be called upon 
to show cause why he should not be dealt with 
according to the regulations and usages in such cases. 

If unable to show cause he should be called upon 
to plead to the charges. He may plead specially or 
generally. If he plead specially, the Grand Lodge 
will determine upon the sufficiency of his answer ; if 
he plead not guilty, he must be tried by the Grand 
Lodge, which may order the testimony to be taken 
outside of the Grand Lodge and reported to it. Both 
sides may be heard in argument before the Grand 

Lodge. Prin. Pro., 1867, pp. 91-7. 

2. In cases of impeachment the Grand Master 
may be authorized, by vote of the Grand Lodge, to 

1 These proceedings may now be had before the Commissioners of 
Trials. — T. P. C. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 61 

appoint suitable Brethren to take the testimony and 
report it at the next Communication of the Grand 

Lod^e. Prin. Pro., 1878, p. 264. 

3. A Master of a Lodge may be impeached for 
the following offences, among others, viz. : for con- 
ferring a degree upon a candidate known to him to 
have been rejected in another Lodge having jurisdic- 
tion, without first obtaining permission from the 
Lodge ; and, second, for concealing from his Lodge 
the fact that the candidate had before applied for the 
degrees, or for knowingly and wilfully violating the 
provisions of the Constitutions respecting the recep- 
tion of rejected candidates. Prin - Pro > 1873 > pp- 38-43. 

INFRINGEMENT. (See By-Laws. ) 

INITIA TION (See By-Laws. ) 

ILLEGAL. 

i. Initiation in a clandestine Lodge or in a Lodge 
not recognized by the Grand Lodge, or by Masons not 
authorized to assemble as a Lodge, would constitute 
illegal initiation. c - w. m., vol. 7, p. 163. 

OFFENCES BEFORE. 

2. Great moral delinquencies committed before 
initiation may, under certain conditions and limita- 
tions, be made available against a newly-admitted 
member; z. e., if they were unknown and could not 
be known to the Lodge before his admission. 

A great crime committed on the eve of initiation, 



62 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

but undetected until after admission, would constitute 
good cause for expulsion. 

A member could not avail himself, for purposes of 
revenge, of delinquencies committed by another mem- 
ber anterior to his initiation, which he has come to 
regard as matters to be forgiven and forgotten. 

C. W. M., vol. 17, pp. 179, ISO. 

INJUNCTION, (See Grand Master.} 

INS TALL A TION (See Dispensation. ) 
OUT OF THE STATE. 

It is not competent for the officers of any Lodge to go 
out of the State to be installed. The installation should 
ordinarily be in the town where the Lodge is located. 

C. W. M., vol. G, p. 315. 

INTEMPERANCE. (See Expulsion.) 
INTOXICA TED. (See By-Laws.) 
INVESTIGA TION. (See By-Laws.) 

IRRE G ULARITIES. 

IN TRIAL. HOW CURED. 

Irregularities in form occurring at a trial may be 
cured by notice to the respondent of the pendency of 
the charges, he failing to appear after having prom- 
ised to be present. Prin - Pro -> 18 ° 7 * p- X1 ' 






Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 63 

ISSUE. (See Evidence, Trials.} 

An exact issue must be framed, as nearly as pos- 
sible, in Masonic, as in civil trials. 

Pi-in. Pro., 18TO, p. 220. 

JE WS. (See Exclusion.} 

JUDGMENT. 

OF CIVIL COURTS. 

The full force of a judgment of the civil law {z.e.\ in 
case of conviction and sentence), when applied to a 
Masonic trial, still remains to be determined. 

Priii. Pro., 1871, pp. 81, 2. 

JUNIOR WARDEN. 

The Junior Warden is not to be a general infor?ner, 
or the complainant in all cases of discipline. 

C. W. M., vol. 19, p. 148. 

JURISDICTION. (See Candidate, Dispensation, 
Grand Lodge, Lodge.} 

OF LODGES. 

i. The Lodge which has once acted upon the 
proposition of the candidate, and negatived it, retains 
its jurisdictional hold upon him, so that no other 
Lodge can admit him without the direct recommenda- 
tion of the former Lodge. 

No citizen of Massachusetts, who has been rejected 
here, may lawfully receive the degrees in another 
State or in a foreign jurisdiction, without the consent 
of our own Grand Master ; nor are we permitted to 



64 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

receive into our Lodges a citizen of any State which 
contains a Grand Lodge, without the permission of 
the Grand Master of such State. ]PriM - ^^ 18 *2> p. 62. 

OVER NON-MEMBERS. 

2. The only difference between members and non- 
members is that the former are bound to obey the By- 
Laws of their own particular Lodges, in addition to 
their general duty to the Fraternity. But every Mason, 
whether he be a member or otherwise, is bound to 
obey the summons of a Lodge of Master Masons. 
The obligation is general. c. w. m., vol. i, P . so. 

OF NEW LODGE. 

3. When a candidate has been rejected, and a new 
Lodge is afterwards established having jurisdiction 
over his place of residence, he may present his petition 
to the new Lodge ; but he cannot be initiated without 
the consent and recommendation of the Lodge which 
rejected him. c - w - M -> vo1 - 24 > p- 325 - 



4. A candidate, having been once lawfully rejected, 
cannot subsequently apply to any other Lodge for 
admission, the original Lodge having and retaining 
exclusive Masonic jurisdiction over him until it volun- 
tarily relinquishes it, or until it is terminated by some 
Constitutional provision of the Grand Lodge. The 
only admissible exception to this rule would be in a 
case where the rejecting Lodge had ceased to exist. 

C. W. M., vol. 25, p. 258. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 65 

JURISPRUDENCE. (See Divorced Wife.) 
TESTIMONY OF MASON'S WIFE. 

It would not be either legal, or Masonically proper, 
for the Lodge to admit the testimony of the wife 
against her husband in any case recognizable by the 
civil law, or where the evidence would cause a viola- 
tion of marital confidence, nor where a third party is 
interested in the conviction of the accused. 

But where the wife is the aggrieved party, and the 
object of the complaint is the restraining or reforma- 
tion of the husband, the statements of the wife are 
clearly admissible. c - w - M -> voi - 2 &> pp- 289 > 29 °- 

LANDMARKS. 

Disclosing or threatening to disclose the j landmarks 
of Masonry is an offence for which a member may be 

expelled. Rec, 1811, Dec. 9. 

LOAN. (See Grand Lodge.) 

The Grand Lodge may make a donation of money 
to members when necessary, but will not loa?t it to 

them. Rec, 1823, Dec. 27. 

L O CALITT. (See City.) 
LOCA TION. (See City.) 

1 i.e., Such landmarks as involve Masonic secrets. 



66 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

L OD QE, (See Adjournment, By-Laws, Charter, Debt 
Discipline, Dispensation, Emergent, JForeign Juris- 
diction, Gra?id Lodge, Grand Master, Master Mason, 
Previous Question, Record, Sentinel, Special, Sum- 
?no?zs, Trial.) 

i. A Lodge in another State, to which a Charter 
was granted by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
at a time when there was no Grand Lodge organized 
in the former State, was rightfully and legally under 
the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge until the forma- 
tion and establishment of a Grand Lodge in the State 
where the Lodge is located. After that time the juris- 
diction of this Grand Lodge ceased. 

Rec, 1803, March 8. 

2. Where a Lodge was formerly rightfully under 
the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, in a State w T herein 
no Grand Lodge had been established, and afterward 
such a Grand Lodge was lawfully established therein, 
under the jurisdiction of which a majority of the 
members of the Lodge voted to place themselves, but 
a minority adhered to the jurisdiction of this Grand 
Lodge, both retaining the original name under which 
the Lodge was chartered, it was held that the jurisdic- 
tion of this Grand Lodge over said Lodge was at an 

Q n d. Bee, 1819, June lO. 

RIGHT OF, TO EXCLUDE VISITORS. 

3. As regards the right of Lodges to exclude from 
their regular Communications those who are not 
members, it is the prerogative of the Grand Master to 
give directions. 1 Rec -> 1823 > Jujke xl * 

1 In cases where the Grand Lodge has prescribed no regulation. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 6y 

4. The Brethren of a Lodge who, at the surrender 
of its Charter divided its funds among themselves, 
cannot, upon the reissue of the Charter, have the 
amount thus divided remitted to them. The division 
of the funds in this manner was such an abuse and 
wronsr as to work a forfeiture of all Masonic rights. 

The fund of a Lodge is not the property of its 
members. It belongs to the poor and needy ; and to 
divide it, or pervert its use, is a violation of Masonic en- 
gagements, and, under ordinary circumstances, should 
be visited with the severest penalty known to our laws.. 

Prin. Pro., 1844, p. 21. 

5. Where a sale and conveyance of property belong- 
ing to a Lodge was made by it to a school corporation, 
it was held that the Lodge did not, Masonically or 
morally, possess the right to make such a conveyance. 

Prin. Pro., 1847, pp. 14, 15. 

RECORD OF COMMUNICATION. 

6. The record of each Communication of the Lodge 
must contain the names of all Brethren filling the differ- 
ent stations and offices. This is the only method by 
which the proper officers appointed to examine and 
visit the Lodges officially can ascertain whether a 
legal number of Masons was present to constitute a 

Lodge. Prin. Pro., 1864, p. 5 ; 1868, p. 15. 

PARLIAMENTARY USAGE IN. 

7. Masonry does not recognise any such usage. 
The W. Master is not bound by any such usage. 
He can stop debate when he considers it proper, and 
close the Lodge at his will and pleasure. 

Prin. Pro., 1866, p. 45, 



68 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

SPURIOUS. 

8. As to Lodges professing to be Masonic, existing 
in this Commonwealth without the sanction of this 
Grand Lodge, they are irregular and spurious, and 
tlie members of them are denied Masonic intercourse 
with members of regular Lodges. 

Prin. Pro., 1869, p. 128. 



9. The signature of the Master of the Lodge is not 
necessary to give validity to its proceedings. The 
approval of the Lodge and the signature of the 
Secretary make the records complete. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 295. 

REVIVAL OF. 

10. A Lodge which has been dissolved may be 
revived by resolution of the Grand Lodge, on the 
petition of a constitutional number of the former 
members of the Lodge. When a Charter is revoked 
and declared forfeited for misdemeanor or irregularity, 
that is the end of it ; 1 the Lodge cannot be reinstated 
by any act of the Grand Lodge, c. w. m., vol. o, p. 104. 

TYLER OF. 

11. The Tyler may be a member of the Lodge, 
and, if so, he is entitled to vote. 

C. W. M., vol. 7, p. 198. 

CALLING OFF OF. 

12. A Lodge cannot be called off for a week. It 
must be closed. € - w - M > vo1 - 1X > p- 318 - 

1 But not in case of a mere suspension of the Charter. — T. P. C. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 69 

SUCCESSION TO THE CHAIR OF. 

13. In the temporary absence of the Master and 
both Wardens, who are in truth the only actual and 
responsible officers (all others being officers of con- 
venience), the Lodge should not assume to transact 
business. If these three officers be absent, by reason 
of death, indisposition, or other cause, making their 
return to place and duty impracticable, the proper 
course would be to petition the Grand Master for 
authority to fill vacancies by means of an election. 
Past Masters have no inherent right to preside in the 
absence of the Master and Wardens. It depends on 
the regulations (if any) of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 13, pp. 39-41. 

EXTENT OF JURISDICTION. 

14. The jurisdiction of each Lodge extends in every 
direction to the geographical centre between all con- 
tiguous Lodges ; that is to one-half the distance be- 
tween itself and the next nearest Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 14, p. 141. 

MEMBERS OF. 

15. A Brother having once acquired membership 
in a Lodge retains the connection, with all its rights 
and privileges, until he voluntarily surrenders it, or it 
is terminated by act of the Lodge. Hence, if a member 
has neither resigned, been suspended, nor discharged, 
his membership continues, though he may not have 
been present for ten, twenty, or thirty years, unless 
there is some provision in the By-Laws in regard to 
his absence or continuous neglect of duty. 

€. W. M., vol. 17, p. 33. 



JO Digest of Masonic Law of the 

16. Membership in a Military Lodge does not dis- 
charge a Brother from membership in his own Lodge. 
The members named in a military Dispensation retain 
all their privileges in their own Lodges, and are there 
subject to trial and discipline as before. 

C. W. M., vol. 23, p. IGO. 

SPECIAL COMMUNICATION OF. 

17. The Lodge at a Special Communication can do 
the precise business for which it is called together, and 
nothing more. It can pay no bills, or in any other way 
appropriate funds, nor can it receive any report or act 
upon any communication, unless that be the special 
business for which it is assembled. Neither can 
applications for the degrees be received, unless by 
dispensation. c - w - M -> vo1 - 24 > p- 138 - 

MAJORITY. (See Grand Lodge.) 

IN TRIALS. 

I. When a trial is by a Lodge the record must 
show that a majority of the members present voted in 
favor of the finding. ***»• Pro -> 18 °*>> p- 31 - 



2. A majority vote determines all questions that 
can arise, if there be no regulations of the Grand 
Lodge, or in the By-Laws of the Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 25, p. 290. 

MANDAMUS. (See Grand Master.) 
MASONS AT SIGHT. (See Grand Master.) 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 71 

MASON'S WIFE, TESTIMONY OF. (See 

J u risp rudence.) 

MASTER. (See By- L aw s, Communication, Grand Mas- 
ter, Impeachment, Record, Sentinel, Special, Trial.) 

The Master may call his Lodge together whenever, 
and as often as, in a conscientious discharge of his duties, 
he may decide that its interest or necessity requires. 

C. W. M., vol. 13, p. 259. 

MASTER MASONS. (See Trial.) 

Three Master Masons are necessary to the consti- 
tuting a new Lodge, ■ Rec, irra, April ae. 

MEETING '. (See Communication.') 

MEMBERS. (See By-Laws, Dispensation, Expelled, 
Expulsion, Honorary, Lodge.) 

ADMISSION OF. 

I. The admission of members is a matter of local 
regulation under the provisions of the Constitutions of 
the Grand Lodge, if any provision on the subject 

exist. C. W. M., vol. O, p. 174. 



2. If the members of a Lodge fail to attend and 
pay their dues, they may be summoned to appear and 
show cause why they should not be discharged from 
membership. c - w - »*., vo1 - 16 > p- 16 °. 



72 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

MEMBERSHIP. (See Dispensation, Lodge, Mem- 
tiers, Suspension.) 

An application for membership, if rejected, may 
be renewed in the same Lodge, or presented to 
another, at any time and as often as it may please the 
Brother applying to do so, subject to the provisions of 
the By-Laws, if any. € - w - M -> vo1 - *&> p- 64 - 

MINOR. (See Candidate.) 

i. A minor, if made, is irregularly made. He 
cannot be recognized until he has been healed. 

C. W. M., vol. 15, p. 178. 

2. The initiation of minors is prohibited by the 
Ancient Constitutions. € - w - M -> vo1 - ^ pp- 3»-3«. 

3. A person made a Master Mason in a regular 
Lodge by dispensation, before he was nineteen years of 
age, cannot be received as a regular Mason, or allowed 
to visit a Lodge. 

Lawful age is twenty-one years. This law relating 
to the age for initiation is a fundamental and fixed law 
of the Craft. The initiation of young men under age, 
women, etc., is in violation of the altar obligations of 
Masonry. It cannot be controlled by the dispensation 
of the Grand Master, for it is above the legislative 
jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 31, pp. 0O-1O1. 

NEW GRAND LODGE. (See Grand Lodge.) 

NOTICE. (See Trial.) 

IN TRIALS. 

i. A notification to all members of the Lodge re- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 73 

siding in the vicinity, in a case of trial, is insufficient. 
All members within the reach of ordinary mail facili- 
ties must be notified. Prin - Pro -' 18TO > pp- 220-5. 

2. It is the privilege of all the members to attend 
trials, and the right of the respondent to have all noti- 
fied to attend. Notice only to those members who live 
within a reasonable distance, or within the county, 
is not sufficient. Prin - Pro -> 18T2 > pp- 37 " 9 - 

3. The want of notice to the respondent (he not 
being present at the trial) , it not appearing upon the 
record that he has waived the positive requirements of 
the Regulations, renders the proceedings void and of 

no effect. Prin. Pro., 1874, p. 19. 

OBJECTION. (See Candidate.} 

OFFENCE. (See Blackball, Debt, Disciplinary Power, 
Expulsion, Fraud, Grand Lodge, Initiation, Land- 
marks.} 

i. The taking away of the Charter and Jewels of 
a Lodge from their proper custody, and using the 
same, or being present during the use of the same, in a 
clandestine manner, is a Masonic offence. 

Rec, 1803, March It. 

2. Where a Brother who had been Treasurer of a 
Lodge which had been dissolved, had received the 
dividends upon stock owned by the Lodge, and upon 
the surrender of its Charter refused to give up the 
stock or render any account thereof to the Grand 
Lodge, his conduct was held to constitute a Masonic 



74 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

offence, for which he might properly be expelled from 
the rights and privileges of Masonry. 

Rec, 1842, June 8. 

3. The mere fact that the respondent failed to pay, 
at its maturity, a note upon which he had procured 
the endorsement of a friend, and has not since paid 
the same, cannot be regarded as a Masonic offence. 

Rec, 1854, June 14. 

4. Wilful or habitual violations of the llegulations 
of the Grand Lodge, or the By-Laws of a subordinate 
Lodge, or the disclosure to the uninitiated of the secrets 
or private business of the Lodge, are to be considered 
as strictly Masonic offences. Frila - Pro -' 1869 > p- 27 - 

5. Whenever it shall be found that the acts of a 
Brother are clearly adverse to the principles or regula- 
tions of the Craft, or the rights or happiness of any of 
its members, he may be tried for such acts, although 
the offence involved has never been described or known 
before as such. ]PriB1 - Fro > 1869 > p- 2T - 

6. There is no strict Masonic code or classification 
under which it may be absolutely determined, in every 
instance, that the act complained of is or is not a Ma- 
sonic offence. Not every act which contravenes the 
civil law or the ordinances of a municipality, as, for 
example, the keeping of a dog without license, or neg- 
lecting to shovel snow from a sidewalk ; or, still 
further, the preference by a bankrupt of a particular 
creditor, and many other acts known as fraud in law, 
can be set down as a crime against the Fraternity. 
Bankruptcy alone, the non-payment of debts alone, 
will not constitute such offence. The intent to wrong 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 75 

and defraud must clearly appear. But felonies and 
other acts involving moral obliquity and turpitude are 
Masonic offences. 

Acts clearly and directly opposed to the cardinal 
principles known as the general tenets of the Fra- 
ternity, or to the special obligations involved in the 
Ritual, and voluntarily assumed by the initiate, are 
such offences. Prf *- Fro > 1869 > pp- 26 " 31 - 

7. Disclosing to an applicant for the degrees, hi the 
presence or hearing of his wife, the fact that his appli- 
cation had been rejected, is not a Masonic offence. 

Prill. Pro., 1871, pp. 272, 3. 

8. Falsely claiming and pretending to have been a 
Past Master of a Lodge, and by such claim and pre- 
tence gaining admission into the Lodge and securing 
Masonic recognition due to such pretended rank, 
besides pecuniary and other collateral advantages, con- 
stitute a Masonic offence. Pril1 - 3Pro v **??> P- *®z- 

OFFICE. 

i. A Brother under the ban of suspension cannot 
be a proper candidate for any office in Masonry, nor 
can he be allowed admission into any Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 9, p. 260. 

2. In the absence of any regulation of the Grand 
Lodge to the contrary, a Brother holding office in his 
Lodge may demit or resign it, subject to the require- 
ments of the By-Laws and the general regulations of 
Masonry, if the Lodge accepts the resignation, which, 
in the absence of such regulation or requirements, it is 
bound to do. c - w M -> vo1 - 13 > p- 163 - 



j6 Digest of Masonic Laiv of the 

OFFICERS, (See By-Laws, Contempt, Installation.} 

i. The records of a Lodge Communication must 
show the names, not the mere titles, of the officers 
present. It is not in accordance with the requirements 
of Masonry to state that the Worshipful Master, 
Senior and Junior Wardens were present, but the 
names of the officers must be given. 

Prim. Pro., 1868, p. 17. 

2. The officers of a Lodge are not removable at the 
pleasure of the W. Master. Priia - **«•> isto, p. 332. 

3. An elective officer should not be allowed to re- 
sign within the year for which he has been elected. 

C. W. M., vol. 8, p. 230. 

4. The officers of a Lodge under Dispensation, 
being creatures of the Grand Master or Grand Lodge, 
cannot be dealt with by such Lodge. 

€. W. M., vol. 19, p. 182. 

OHIO. (See African.) 

ORPHAN. 

The orphan has the same relative claim upon the 
Lodge and the Fraternity that was vested in the 
parent. €. w. m., vol. 6, p. 323. 

PARDON. (See Grand Master.) 

PARLIAMENTARY. (See Lodge.) 

PAST MASTER. (See Degrees, Offence.) 

1. A Brother cannot attain to the rank of Past 



Grand Lodge • of Massachusetts. 7 7 

Master until he has been elected to preside over a reg- 
ular Lodge of Masons. c. w. m., vol. 2, p. 227. 

2. Past Masters ma^de in R.A. Chapters cannot pre- 
side in a Symbolic Lodge, or perform any functions of a 
Master or Past Master, simply by having received the 
degree of Past Master in a R. A. Chapter. 

C. W. M., vol. 7, p. 197. 

3. Such Past Masters do not possess the qualifica- 
tions, and are not entitled to the privileges, of the Past 
Presiding Officers of Lodges. c. w. m., vol. 10, p. 259. 

4. Past Masters have no inherent right to member- 
ship in the Grand Lodge. Whenever they are recog- 
nized as such, it is only by virtue of a local regulation. 

C. W. M., vol. 13, p. 197. 

5. The Past Master's degree is wholly and entirely 
a Lodge degree. It belongs to the Chair. Its allegi- 
ance runs to the Grand Lodge, c. w. m., vol. 5, p. 104. 

PETITION. (See Applicant, Application, Candidate.} 

PHYSICAL. (See Candidate.} 

PREVIOUS QUESTION. 

A By-Law which provides for the taking of the 
Previous Question is out of place in the rules for the 
government of a Lodge. It conflicts with the power 
and authority of the W. Master. The conduct of dis- 
cussion is entirely in his hands, and he can stop debate 
or continue it at his pleasure. Prin. Pro., 1864, p. 14. 

PRESUMPTION. (See Charges.} 



7 8 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

PR OFICIENC T. (See Candidate.) 
PROOF. (See Trial) 

PROSECUTOR. (See Junior Warden.) 

QUAKERS. 

AFFIRMATION BY. 

With respect to such candidates, for initiation and 
other degrees, as have conscientious scruples about 
taking an oath, the act of affirmation is equally valid 
as swearing in receiving the obligations of Masonry. — 
Opinion of G. Master Timothy Bigelow, the ques- 
tion having been submitted to him by the G. Lodge. 

Bee, 1800, »ec. 8. 

RE CO GNLTLON. (See Grand Lodge.) 

i . When by the action of three or more Lodges in a 
State a Grand Lodge has been organized and installed, 
and is performing the usual functions of a Grand Ma- 
sonic Body, this is sufficient for their recognition as a 
Body regularly constituted and organized. 

Priii. Pro., 1802, p. 18. 

GRAND LODGE OF CHILI. 

2. The recognition by this Grand Lodge, in 1862, of 
the Grand Lodge of Chili working under the Scottish 
Rite, was a qualified and limited one. It did not 
authorize any such inference as that this Grand Lodge 
intended to surrender any of its rights in the jurisdic- 
tion to the new Body, or that it was disposed to turn 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 79 

over its own Lodges, long previously established in the 
Republic, to a Masonic Power of a foreign Rite. For 
this course there is ample justification in the organic 
laws of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, viz., that 
different Rites naturally produce different Powers which 
govern them ; that each Rite is independent of all the 
others, and that the action of the Power of a Rite, 
whether dogmatic or administrative, cannot legally 
extend except to Masons of that Rite, obedient to the 
urisdiction of that Body. Mn - Fro -> 1S71 > PP- «*-»». 

RE COMMEND A TION. 

The word recommendation, as relating to rejected 
candidates, is to be taken in its full and complete sense, 
and should not be construed as a consent or u per- 
mission " only. Mn * Vro '9 1873 > P- s ® 5 - 

RE CONSIDERA TION. (See Ballot.*) 

1. A ruling by the W. Master that a motion to re- 
consider a vote was out of order, on the ground that 
other business had intervened between the vote and the 
motion to reconsider, is erroneous, being in violation of 
the regulation of the Constitutions providing that any 
vote may be reconsidered at the same Communication. 

Priii. Pro., 187©, p. 158. 

2. * A vote adopted at a regular Communication 
cannot be reconsidered at a special Communication. 

C. W. M., vol. 12, p. 358, 

1 Vide Const., Part 5, Sect. 20. 



80 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

RECORD. (See Lodge, Officers, Trial) 

As to the preparation and alteration of the records 
of the Lodge the doctrine is, that the Secretary is the 
servant of the Lodge, whose duty it is to prepare and 
properly enter the records of all Communications. 
The first draught of the record should be inspected by 
the Master before it is entered and recorded, for it is 
his duty to see that the proceedings of the Lodge be 
faithfully and properly recorded. The Master has the 
right to express his opinion as to accuracy of statement 
or modes of expression. ... If the Master object 
to an article as improper for record, or to the terms in 
which one is expressed that is a fit matter for record, 
and the Secretary, making no reference to the opinion 
of the Lodge, 1 inserts and certifies it, he errs ; but the 
record cannot be cancelled, the Lodge-book is not to 
be defaced, nor may the leaf be cut out. All the 
remedy is an entry of emendation or correction by the 
Master, or, under his direction, by vote of the Lodge. 

Rec, 1822, June 12. 
RE G ULA TIONS. (See Ancient Regulations. ) 

REJECTED. (See Candidate, Jurisdiction, Recom- 
mendation.) 

RENOUNCING. 

i. A renouncing Mason is nevertheless a Mason. 
If he break his Masonic obligations he may be dealt 



i i.e., without consulting the Lodge upon the question. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 81 

with as other Masons. Non-attendance at Lodge Com- 
munications will not justify expulsion, and this is the 
only offence he commits in quietly withdrawing from 
the Institution. °- w - M -> vo1 - 6 > P- 4 - 

2. A renouncing Mason, who seeks to be restored 
and renew his connection with the Fraternity, will, on 
proper showing of facts, be restored by the Grand 

Lodo*e. Bee, 1848, Sept. 13. 

RESIDENCE. (See Candidate.') 
REQUISITION. (See Candidate.) 
RESIGNA TION (See Office.) 

RESTORA TION (See Charter, Excelled, Renounc- 
ing*) 
i. The restoration to the rights and privileges of 
Masonry of a member of a Lodge who has been ex- 
pelled, may be made by the Grand Lodge under the 
Constitutions, on petition. Frin - Pro -> XS71 > P- 35 - 

2. In case of a suspension merely from membership 
the Lodge may restore a member before the expiration 
of his term of suspension. But, in order to do this 
legally, it is indispensable that the members shall be 
specially notified of the intention to re-instate him. 

C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 69. 

3. A member may be suspended (/.£., from mem- 
bership) at a called or special Communication of the 
Lodge. Hence a suspended member may be rein- 
stated at a called Communication, notice to the mem- 



82 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

bers of the intention to re-instate him having been 

given. C. W. M., vol. 5, p. 69. 

4. It is necessary for a Lodge to act upon the re-in- 
stating of a Brother who has been suspended from 
membership for a definite period and the time has 
expired. A suspension for a fixed and determinate 
time ceases by its own limitation so far only as to 
authorize the delinquent to present his petition to the 
Lodge for a release from the disability under which lie 
labors. c# w * M, > voI# 13 > p- 6 ° # 

RE VIE W. 

When a respondent has been tried and convicted, 
and the proceedings have been confirmed by the Grand 
Lodge, the conviction having been had in his absence 
and without his knowledge of the pendency of the 
proceedings, he may petition for a rehearing or review 
of the case, under Section 1, Art. 5, Part 3, of the Con- 
stitutions, which declares that the Grand Lodge neces- 
sarily possesses a supreme superintending authority, 
and the power of finally deciding on every case which 
concerns the interests of the Craft. 

Prin. Pro., 1873, p. 146. 

RE VIVAL. (See Lodge.) 

RE VO CA TION. (See Charter.) 

RE VOL UTLON. 

The right of revolution when oppressions become 
intolerable has always been recognized by the Anglo- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 83 

Saxon race, from Runnymede to the present day. 
But in Masonry there is no such necessity ; there can 
be no long-continued oppression, for within certain 
bounds the will of the majority is absolute, and there 
can be no temptation to tyranny, for nothing is to be 
gained by it. Prin - Pro -> 1856 > pp- s ?- 36 - 

RUMOR. 

The appointment by a Lodge of a committee " to 
hunt up floating rumors affecting the character or 
reputation " of one of its members is not proper. If 
an offence has been committed, some Brother in in- 
terest should examine the matter closely, yet candidly, 
and bring his charge, with the necessary specifica- 
tions, directly and upon his own responsibility. 

Prin. Pro., 1872, pp. 38, 274. 

SALE. (See Lodge. 

SECRETARY. 

The Secretary must record the doings of all Com- 
munications called by the authority of the Master. 
With the question of the legality of the Communica- 
tion he has nothing to do, in his official capacity. 

C. TV. M., vol. 12, p. 358. 

SENTENCE. (See Trial, Verdict.) 
SENTLNEL. (See By-Law.) 
SER VLCE. (See Trial.) 



84 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

SLANDER. (See By-Law.) 

SPECLAL COMMUNICATION. 

A By-Law, which provides that the W. Master shall 
call special Communications of the Lodge, on the 
written application of seven members, is erroneous, 
as it interferes with the exclusive powers of the W. 
Master. It is his duty, upon his own judgment, to 
call special Communications, and the Brethren of the 
Lodge have no right or power to limit his prerogative 
in this respect. Priia - Fro -> is«6> p- 36. 

SPECIFICATIONS. (See Trial.) 

SPURIOUS LODGE. (See Lodge.) 
SUCCESSION, RULE OF. (See Lodge.) 

SUMMONS. (See Jurisdiction, Trial.) 

Every Mason is bound to obey the summons of a 
Lodge of Master Masons, and present himself before 
them, if within the scope of his ability. There is no 
relation in which he can stand with the Fraternity that 
can absolve a Mason from this obligation. 

A Lodge may excuse a Mason for not performing 
this duty, but cannot absolve him from his obligation 
to nerform it Rec. 185J6 ? Sept. 13« 

S USPENSION. (See Charter, Grand Master, Resto- 
ration, Trial.) 
i. The suspension of a Brother without trial, is 

illeeal. Prln. Pro., 1S60, pp. 5-8. 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 85 

2. A sentence of suspension is not definite, unless 
it fixes the time for .which it is to continue. 

An indefinite suspension is equivalent to expulsion. 

C. W. M., vol. 10, p. 99. 

EFFECT OF IN DIFFERENT CASES. 

3. Suspension, (i.e. from membership in the 
Lodge) for non-payment of dues, deprives the de- 
linquent of all his prMleges as a member of the Lodge. 
He cannot attend its Communications either as a mem- 
ber or visitor, and his claims upon its charities are 
held in abeyance. He is a quasi member, without any 
of the privileges or benefits of membership. He may, 
however, visit other Lodges, or seek Masonic relief 
through other channels. His more general privileges 
as a Mason still remain unimpaired. By indefinite sus- 
pension from Masonry the offender's privileges are in 
abeyance, but the Lodge does not relinquish its control 
over him. He is no longer entitled to the recognition 
or privileges of the Fraternity, and must remain so 
until he is restored. c - w - M -> vo1 - S6 > pp- io»-b. 

4. In the case of suspension from membership the 
Lodge may restore the delinquent without reference to 
the Grand Lodge. c - w - M -> vol. 30, P . sst. 

5. Suspensions in Masonry are either general or 
local. They are general, when resulting from im- 
morality, disloyalty, or other offences subversive of the 
laws or prejudicially affecting the welfare of the Insti- 
tution at large. They are local, when predicated on 
causes entirely of a local character, affecting only the 
relations of the delinquent with the Lodge of which he 



86 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

is a member. A suspension of the first class suspends 
the delinquent from all his rights and privileges as a 
Mason, and during its continuance denies him all 
Masonic fellowship with his Brethren. It differs 
from expulsion in degree only. A suspension of the 
second class rests absolutely or primarily on the rela- 
tion of the delinquent to the private Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 32, pp. 98, 99. 

S USPENDED BR O THRR. (See Office, Resto- 
ration, Trial.) 

TRIAL OF. 

The Lodge has an undoubted right to try a Brother 
under suspension, on any new charge of unmasonic 
conduct, if the offence warrant, without waiting for 
the expiration of the previous sentence. 

C. W. M., vol. 12, p. 384. 

TAX. (See Grand Lodge, N on- Affiliates.) 

TERRITORY. (See Grand Lodge.) 

TESTIMONY. (See Evidence, Impeachment, Juris- 
prudence.) 

i. The Master of the Lodge, if he preside at a 
trial, should not testify as a witness in the case. If he 
be required as a witness, he should delegate the duty 
of presiding to a Past Master, or, if necessary, invoke 
the assistance of the Deputy Grand Master of his 
District. 3Prin- Pro# ' 1871 ' p# 26 ° # 

2. When the respondent is out of the Common- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 87 

wealth and his residence is not known, ex parte 
depositions may be taken and used at the trial. 

Prin. Pro., 1873, p. 142. 

3. The testimony of persons not Masons may be 
taken before a committee in the ante-room, or other 
convenient place, the accused to be notified of the 
time and place to give him opportunity for cross-ex- 
amination. In such cases the cross-examination should 
be in writing. € » w - M *> vo1 - 8 > p- 33 s vol « s5 > p« 29 °* 

4. The Lodge possesses the power to compel one 
of its members to testify in any case of Masonic trial 
and discipline, whether had before his own Lodge or 
another. c# w * M *> vol# 25 » p* 29 *>* 

TRIAL. (See By-Law, Charges, Conviction, Demitted 
Brother, Evidence, Expulsion, Fraud, Initiation, Ir- 
regularities, Issue, Judgment, Majority, Notice, Of- 
fence, Suspended Brother, Testimony, Verdict, Vote, 
Witnesses.*) 

1. Where the respondent does not remonstrate 
against the proceedings in a trial, he having knowledge 
thereof, and the proceedings do not appear to be uncon- 
stitutional or irregular, the facts alleged by the Lodge 
as the grounds of the proceedings should be presumed 

to be true. Rec. 1817, March IO. 

2. In all cases where it is practicable, a Brother 
should have a hearing before judgment is passed upon 
him, even if he has been found guilty in a Court of 
Judicature ; for evidence may arise, which did not ap- 
pear in Court, that would very materially qualify the 
crime in the view of a charitable Fraternity. 

Rec, 1827, March 14. 



88 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

3. The trial need not be formal, if all the facts 
be admitted by the respondent. Rec > 184 $> Jwne 14 - 

4. If the Lodge adjourn during the trial of a case 
to another date, the absent members must be sum- 
moned. Bee, 1848, Sept. 13. 

METHODS OF. 

5. The respondent is not to be oppressed or shielded 
by any merely technical vote. Pril1 - Fro -> 186 °> P- 28 - 

6. Where the charge is general, as for conduct 
unbecoming a Mason, there should be clear and ac- 
curate specifications. Mn - **«>•> 1869 > P- S8 - 

BURDEN OF PROOF IN. 

7. The general burden of proof is on the accusers, 
although that burden may, by the acts or admissions of 
the accused, be shifted and fall upon his shoulders. 

Pi-in. Pro., 1869, p. 29. 

8. It should appear clearly by the record that every- 
thing has been done which the regulations of the 
Grand Lodge prescribe. Pril1 - **«»•> 1869 > P- 64 - 



9. If the respondent appear the requisitions of the 
Grand Regulations, so far as they relate to his rights 
and interests, or are for his benefit, may be waived by 
him. Defects arising from a non-compliance with the 
Regulations in such case may be cured by his appear- 
ance and answer to the merits. ]Prin - Pro -> 1809 > P- ° 4 - 

10. A charge that the respondent " has been dis- 
honest, and by false statements and under false pre- 
tences has obtained goods and money, and the signatures 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 89 

of citizens as sureties for him, both of Brethren in the 
Order and citizens not in the Brotherhood," with no 
sp:cifications or allegations of time, place, or circum- 
stance, is insufficient. Pril1 - Fro -> 18 *°> »*• u*-i»i- 

11. When the trial is by the Lodge it should ap- 
pear either in the record of the trial, or in the evidence 
presented, that the respondent is a member of the 
Lodge, or that it has Masonic jurisdiction over him. 

Prim. Fro., 1S70, p. 120. 

12. The organization of the Lodge must appear, 
and that the Communication was a special one, notified 
and convened for the purpose of the trial. 

Prin. Pro., 187©, p. 12©. 

13. If the record does -not show that service was 
made upon the respondent, according to the Grand 
Regulations, the proceedings are invalid. Only when 
the residence of the respondent is " out of the Common- 
wealth and unknown " can the charges against him be 
examined ex parte. Prill « Pro -> 18TO > p* 1S1 - 

14. The record should show the whole number of 
Brethren present at the trial who are entitled to vote ; 
so that thereby the existence of a majority for the ver- 
dict may distinctly appear, instead of being left to 
mere inference or surmise. Prin. Pro., 1870, p. 153. 

15. A citation served by the Secretary of the Lodge, 
Aug. 13, to a respondent under Masonic charges, to 
appear on Aug. 16 following, the respondent being 
then confined in jail upon an indictment pending 
against him in the Civil Court, is not sufficient as ser- 
vice, against his protest that the time is too short to 
enable him to procure his witnesses and prepare for 



go Digest of Masonic Law of the 

his defence. A respondent has the right to sufficient 
time and reasonable opportunity to get his witnesses 
and prepare his defence. Prin - Pro -> 18 *°> p- 225 - 

SERVICE ON RESPONDENT OUT OF THE STATE. 

1 6. The record should disclose the fact thai the 
residence of the respondent is in the place to which 
the summons was directed, or that he is absent from 
the State, and has no known residence. 

Prin. Pro., 18TO, p. 71. 
SERVICE IN PRISON. 

17. If the service be made on the respondent while 
he is in prison, and he declines to make any defence 
to the charges and does not desire the aid of counsel, 
such service is sufficient. Prin - Pro -> lsn > p- 8a - 



18. In trials the record of one case must not be 
connected with that of another, but must be distinct. 
Where two trials are assigned for one Communication, 
the summonses or notices to members, the citations to 
the respondent, and the records of the trials, must be 
distinct and several. Prin.Pro., isn, pp. 263-5. 

19. The record must show what summons was 
issued to the respondent to appear for trial, and when 
it was issued. A defect in this particular, however, 
if standing alone, may be cured by the appearance of 
the respondent. Priia - :Pro *' 1871 > P- 269 - 

20. Where the W. Master appoints the Secretary 
of the Lodge to conduct the examination of the wit- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 91 

nesses at the trial, there must be an appointment of a 
Secretary fro tern., to prepare the record. 

Prin. Fro., 1871, p. 270. 

21. If the trial be by the Lodge the record must 
show that the members were duly notified. 

Prill. Pro., 1872, p. 38. 

22. Where the charges are informally presented, 
but the respondent appears and pleads guilty, he 
waives the irregularity, and may be sentenced upon his 

p] ea> Prin. Pro., 1872, p. 38. 

23. The right of the respondent to be present at the 
taking of the testimony of witnesses against him is a 
personal right, which may be waived by any act or 
deed, either at the time or subsequently, which shows 
that he does not desire to exercise the right. The ap- 
pearance of the respondent at the trial with counsel, 
and making no objection to the introduction of deposi- 
tions taken in his absence, is a waiver of his right to 
object to them as evidence after the trial is concluded. 

Prin. Pro., 1873, p. 83. 

24. It is not sufficient to allege that the respondent 
is a villain, a bad man, or a dangerous fellow ; but the 
specific acts relied on to designate his offence must be 
clearly set forth. 

A charge that the respondent " has been guilty of 
crime rendering him amenable to punishment by the 
laws of his country," or that he " has been convicted of 
criminal violation of the laws of the land, and is, or 
w T as, imprisoned therefor," is not sufficient. 

Priia. Pro., 1873, pp. 14©, 1. 

25. It is very doubtful whether a service upon the 
wife of the respondent, the whereabouts of the husband 



92 Digest of Masonic Lazv of the 

being alleged to be unknown to the wife and to the 
Brother making the service, is sufficient. It is not a 
joersonal service on the respondent, nor is it service at 
his last and usual place of abode. T>rin - **°-> 18 * 5 > p- 23 - 

26. A return of service is defective when it does 
not set forth a service of a summons to appear at the 
time and place fixed for the examination of the 

charges. Prin. Pro., 1875, p. 25. 

27. Upon the summons to respondent the return 
should have been that the residence of the accused was 
out of the State and unknown, and upon such a return 
an ex parte trial might have been had. But when it 
shall appear, by the evidence, that the respondent has 
absconded, and that nothing has been heard from him 
for several months, it may be inferred that he was out 
of the State and his residence unknown, in which case 
an ex parte trial may be had. Prin - ***•» 1876 > P- 16 - 

28. The Master of the Lodge may, by peremptory 
summons, command the attendance of every member 
at the trial who cannot present a sufficient excuse. 

Pain. Pro., 1876, p. 17. 

29. The record of the trial should contain the 
names of all the members present and voting on the 

j ssue# Prim. Pro., 1876, p. 17. 

30. The respondent cannot be lawfully convicted 
of an offence less or other than that charged in the 
specification. The complainant may present as many 
specifications as he pleases, but the respondent may not 
be held to answer a charge which is not contained in a 
specification actually presented. Pril *» Pro., 1876, p. 129. 

31. Nothing is more irrevocably settled than that 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 93 

the accused shall be afforded an opportunity to con- 
front his accusers, — to meet them face to face, — em- 
ploy counsel, introduce rebutting testimony, and be 
present through the entire examination and argument. 

C. W. M., vol. IO, pp. 66, 7. 

32. When the trial is conducted by the Lodge the 
decision of the Master upon all questions arising is 
final, except as to the Grand Lodge, to which Body he 
is alone amenable in such matters. 

C. W. M., vol. IO, p. 67. 

33. As to the question of the postponement of a 
Masonic trial, to await the action of a Court of Justice 
upon the same charges, the Masonic tribunal is not 
legally bound to regard the action of the Court at all. 
But no precise rule can be laid down for such cases, 
which must be determined according to the facts and 
circumstances under which they occur. 

C. W. BE., vol. IO, p. 273. 

34. All matters in mitigation of punishment should 
be heard after the verdict. c - w - M -> vo1 - lv » p- 18 °- 

35. l A Master Mason who is under suspension may 
be tried without restoration. c - w - M -> vo1 - 23 > p- los - 

36. A Master of a Lodge may be tried after his 
retirement from office for acts done while in office, if 
the offence was a moral delinquency, and of sufficient 
magnitude to reflect upon the character of the Lodge. 

C. W. M., vol. 31, p. 264. 

TTLER. (See Lodge.) 

The Constitutions require that the Tyler shall be a 
Master Mason, but do not require that he shall be a 

1 i. e. f upon a new charge. 



94 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

member of the Lodge which he tyles ; nor do they 
prohibit his tyling a Lodge of which he is not a 
member. c - w - M -> vo1 - 6 > p- 35 <j. 

UNION OF ST. JOHNS AND MASS. G. 
LODGES. 

In the year A.L. 5792, A.D. 1792, the St. John's 
Grand Lodge and the Massachusetts Grand Lodge 
agreed in a complete union of the two Grand Lodges, 
to be known forever thereafter by the name of " The 
Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable 
Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts." 

Its powers and prerogatives are independent ; all 
distinctions between Ancient and Modern Masons are, 
as far as possible, abolished. It has succeeded to'all 
the Masonic rights, powers, and privileges of the former 
Grand Lodges. Rec, 1792, March 5. 

VACANCY. (See By-Law.) 

1. If the office of Warden be vacant neither the 
Grand Master nor the Master can fill it. The Master 
can fill the vacancy only from one Communication to 
another, but the Grand Master can grant a dispensa- 
tion to the Lodge to elect a Warden. 

C. W. M., vol. 23, p. IGO. 

2. In case the offices of Master and Wardens be all 
vacant the Grand Master cannot appoint a Warden, 
but can appoint a Master fro tern. ; or he may preside 
in person, or by proxy, and hold an election to fill all 
vacancies. c - w - M -> vo1 * 23 > p- 16 °- 



Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 95 

VERDICT. (See Majority, Trial.) 

The questions of the guilt and of the sentence of a 
party accused are essentially distinct and several. A 
verdict of guilty does not necessarily imply that ex- 
pulsion is deserved. In all cases it would seem to be 
not only wise and just, but conformable to Masonic 
charity, to determine, first, the issues of fact involved ; 
and, second, by a separate and distinct vote, to fix the 
sentence. Prin ' Pro ' 187S > *• 275 - 

VISIT - RIGHT TO. 

i. The right of a Brother to visit any Lodge of his 
own degree cannot be regarded as an inherent right, 
because it has only a conditional, not an innate, exist- 
ence. The terms on which it may be enjoyed are 
, dictated by the Grand Lodge. c - w - m -> vo1 - 3 > P- 835 - 

2. The right of a Brother in good Masonic standing, 
and an enrolled member of some Lodge within the 
jurisdiction of a lawful Grand Lodge, to visit one of 
our Lodges while open for the transaction of its ordi- 
nary business, cannot be denied, except for special and 
sound reasons, to be passed upon by the presiding 
Master, or by the Lodge itself, as expediency or the 
importance of the objections may determine. This 
right, how 7 ever, so defined and conditioned, is subject 
to the further limitation, that it may not be demanded 
or exercised, except by special invitation or permission, 
whenever the Lodge is open for the transaction of 
local or private business, or engaged in the practice of 
its judicial powers. c - w - M > vo1 - 29 > p- 29 ^- 



g6 Digest of Masonic Law of the 

3. The right to visit, if it be a right, is a conditional 
one, and the conditions resolve it into a privilege, sub- 
ject to the favor of the Lodge. c - w - **., voi - 2 ®> P- 165 - 

4. T.he right to visit cannot be held to be an 
absolute right, because it is subject to denial or regula- 
tion. More correctly speaking it is a privilege, de- 
pendent on certain conditions. The first and most 
essential of these conditions is, that the visitor shall be 
a Brother in good Masonic standing, and an affiliated 
member of some regular Lodge. With these qualifi- 
cations he is in a condition to solicit admission as a 
visitor into any Lodge, when not engaged in the 
transaction of any private business. In such a case 
his request cannot, in courtesy or Masonic propriety, 
be denied, except for special and sufficient cause. 

Prisi. Pro., 1870, p. 287. 

5. 1 It is the privilege of every affiliated Mason, in 
good and regular standing, to visit any Lodge when not 
engaged in the transaction of private business ; but it 
is also the right of a sitting member of the Lodge to 
object to the admission of a visitor, giving his reasons 
therefor, if required by a majority vote of the members 
to do so ; or, as the alternative, declaring upon his honor 
as a Mason that his reasons are such that he cannot, 
with propriety, disclose them to the Lodge. 

Prin. Pro., 18TO, p. 228. 

VISITORS. (See By-Law, Visit.) 

1. The imposition of a tax upon visitors lies ex- 
clusively with the Grand Lodge. € - w - M -> vo1 - 3 > p- 228 - 

1 This was adopted as a standing order in 1S70. 



^Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 97 

2. Visiting Brethren have no right to vote on the 
admission of candidates. c - w - M > vo1 - *> p- 2 °°- 

3. The right of the Lodge to see the visitor's cer- 
tificate and the right of the visitor to see the Charter of 
the Lodge are mutual, though neither is often insisted 
upon except for special reasons, or where there are 
grounds of suspicion. c - w - M -> vo1 - 2 °> p- 3 ° 4 - 

4. A visitor is not to be excluded because of private 
animosity. Kec -> is^o, Dec « 13 « 

VOTE. (See Majority, Reconsideration.*) 

i. Where a trial is conducted by a Lodge the 
accused is entitled ordinarily to the vote of every mem- 
ber upon the issue. PriM - Pro -> 18 ® 9 > p- S9 5 W4, p- ir. 

2. A Brother cannot be required to state his reasons 
for a vote. c * w * M *> vol# 15 > p # 44# 

VOUCHER. 

1. A Brother vouching for another must know him 
to be a Mason by personal examination, or from having 
sat in a Lodge with him. The Brother who vouches 
must be present in the Lodge at the time of his 
voucher. c - w « M -> vo1 - 10, p. 259. 

2. In order to vouch for any one it is necessary to 
have sat in a Lodge with him, and to be able to tell the 
degree upon which the Lodge was working at the time. 

Order of G. M. Nicker son, Prin. Pro., 1872, p. 19. 

WAIVER. (See Trial.) 



98 Digest of Masonic Law, 



WARDENS, (See Dispensation, Lodge, Master, 
Prosecutor, Vacancy.) 

1 . By the present practice the Wardens are author- 
ized to confer the degrees in the absence of the Master. 

C. W. M., vol. 11, p. 256. 

2. Wardens can preside and open the Lodge in the 
presence of the Master, at his request. In the absence 
of the Master they may assume all the duties of the 
Master's office. The Master may call upon either of 
the Wardens or, any Past Master, to preside in his 
presence, or under his direction ; but the Master is 
responsible for all that is done, as if he were actually 
presiding in person. c - w - M - vo1 - 25 > P- 84 - 

WITHDRA WAL. (See Amplication, Candidate, Dis- 
pensation.) 

WITNESSES. (See Divorced Wife, Trial, Testimony.) 

In a trial by a Lodge the examination of the wit- 
nesses must be conducted by managers, or counsel, 
appointed for that purpose. The course of the tes- 
timony must never be interrupted by commentary upon 
the case, which should always be reserved for the 
summing up of each party. Prin. Pro., 1869, p. 28. 






ADDENDA. 



Notes in explanation of decisio?is in Digest. 



Page 16, Decision 12. — The word '-''tried" is not to 
be understood in a technical sense. 

Page 24, Decision 14. — If by an artificial arm the 
candidate can comply with the requisitions of the 
ritual, he may be admitted to receive the Degrees. 

Page 31, Clandestine Lodge. — The doctrine of this 
decision is understood to be applicable only to States 
and Territories of the United States. 

Page 39, Decision 3. — The word " charges" is not to 
be understood in a technical sense. 

Page 45, Decision 14. — In the third line, the word 
"from " should be changed to " by" 

Page 53, Decision 21. — The words " persons from 
foreign jurisdictions" are understood to refer to 
persons subject to foreign jurisdictions. 

Pages 64 and 84. — As to the decisions concerning the 
right of a Lodge to summon a Master Mason and 
his duty to obey the summons, it is understood that 
the right and duty are limited to cases where the 
Lodge has Masonic jurisdiction over the Brother, 
either as a member or a sojourner. 



INDEX 



INDEX TO CONSTITUTIONS. 



Page 
Absence, in the, of Master and Wardens no degree can 

be conferred 54 

Accusations against a Brother to be in writing . . 32 

signed by a Master 

Mason . . 32 
how served upon ac- 
cused ... 32 
when maybe examined ex parte . . 33 
Accused Brother, in what cases summons may be is- 
sued to 32 

may select any Brother as counsel . 34 

Act of Incorporation 3 

Admission of visitors, how restricted . . . . 69 

right of sitting member to ob- 
ject to 69 

to Grand Lodge granted by 

Grand Master ... 61 
to Grand Lodge or to any Lodge, proper 

clothing necessary for ... 41 
to the Fraternity, unanimous vote required 

for . 52 

Admonition, when may be inflicted .... 59 

Advancement of candidate, how to be stopped . . 54 

initiated in another State, 

when permitted . . 53 

Aggrieved Brother may appeal to Grand Lodge . . 36 



Index. 



Page 



Alteration of proceedings of a Lodge, restriction 

u P on • 59 

Amendment of Constitutions, restriction upon . . 59 

to be borne on notifica- 
tions for meetings of 
Grand Lodge . . 69 
proceedings of a Lodge, restriction 

upon 59 

Ample Form, definition of 64 

Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, when to be 

celebrated ......... 9 

Annual dues from a Lodge to Grand Lodge . . . 46, 73 
returns of Lodges, to whom made ... 44 
of what to consist . . 44 

penalty for neglect to make 44, 70 
Appeal to Grand Lodge must be in writing ... 37 
how to be commenced and prosecuted . . 37 
Appeals, etc., to Grand Lodge to be in decent and re- 
spectful language . . . . . . &3 

Applicant, unanimous vote required for admission of . 52 
rejected, on what conditions may be ini- 
tiated in another Lodge . .50 
what recommendation required for 

initiation of .... 50 

to be deemed clandestine Mason in 

certain case .... 51 

standing of, when admitted in an- 
other State .... 51 

permission of Grand Master re- 
quired for admission in another 

State 51 

when requires to be healed . . 52 
penalty for recommending in cer- 
tain case . . 51 
assisting at initiation 

in certain case of . 51 



Index. 

Applicant, rejection of. when to be communicated to 

Grand Lodge . 
when to be communicated to 

D.D.G. Master . 
when to be communicated to 
Lodges . 
Application for degrees within the city of Boston . 

initiation , how made . . . . 
form of .... 

every member present shall 
vote on, unless excused, 
to what Lodge to be made . 
when may be made to Lodge 

nearest to residence 
when permitted in town 
other than of residence . 

from another State must 

■ 

have permission of 
Grand Master of that 
State . . . . 

ballot upon, when and what notifications 
required previous to 
Appointed Grand Officers, who are 

may be installed by Deputy 

Grand Master 

Apprentices', Entered, Lodge, what business to be done 

in ........ . 

Aprons of Grand Officers ..... 

Apron of Deputy Grand Master .... 

Grand Master 

Master Mason ...... 

Assisting at work of a Lodge under suspension or for- 
feiture, penalty for ...... 

Auditing Committee, duties of ... 

of whom to consist and how 
chosen . 



5 

Page 

51 

51 

51 
70 

49 
49 

52 
53 

53 

53 



53 

67 
12 

56 
40 
40 
40 

40 

3i 

27 

27 



Index, 



Ballot for candidate for initiation, requisites before 

when allowed . 
forbidden 
Grand Officers, when and how to be taken 
upon applications, when forbidden 
Behavior in Grand Lodge ..... 

disorderly, how punished 
Board of Directors, how composed 

and when chosen 
duties of . 
may appoint Clerk . 
President of ... . 
when to enter upon duties 
meetings of, how called . 
powers of. 

vacancies in, how and when filled 
to report at Annual Meeting . 
Board, Tracing, definition of . 

Trestle . 

Bonds of Grand Treasurer ..... 

Breach of regulations, how punished 

Brother aggrieved may appeal to Grand Lodge 

Business, what to be transacted in a Lodge open on 

each degree ........ 

By-Laws of a Lodge cannot be suspended by the Lodge 
must be approved by Grand Lodge 

before Charter issues 
to be returned when Charter re- 
voked or surrendered 
outline of what they should con- 
tain . 
Corporation authorized to make 
Candidate, ballot for, when forbidden . 

permitted . 

preliminaries to . 

to what Lodge must apply . 



Page 

50, 67 

50.67 

50,67 

II 

67 

^3 

63 

6 

6 

6,7 
6 

7 
7 
7 
7 
6 

7 
66 
66 
17 
59 
36 

56 

59 

28 
30 

7o 

5 
50,67 
50,67 
50,67 

53 



Index, 

Candidate, when may apply to Lodge nearest to his 

residence ..... 

duty of Lodge in regard to . 

unanimous vote required for admission 

of . 

initiation of . 

form of petition for . 
how advancement of, may be stopped 
not to receive either degree in absence of 

Master and Wardens 
only one to be present at certain periods 
from another State must have consent of 

Grand Master of that State . 
admitted in another State, on what condi 

tions advanced in this . 
rejected, on what conditions may be ini 
tiated in another Lodge . 
penalty for recommending in cer 
tain case 
assisting at initiation 
of, in certain 
case 
standing of, when admitted in an- 
other jurisdiction 
permission of Grand Master re- 
quired for admission in another 

State 

to be deemed a clandestine Mason 

in certain case .... 

when required to be healed 

rejection of, when to be communicated to 

Grand Lodge 

when to be communicated to 

D.D.G. Master . 
when to be communicated to 
Lodges .... 



7 

Page 
53 

53 

52 

49 
49 
54 

54 
54 

53 

53 
5o 
5i 

5i 
5i 

5i 

5i 
5i 

5i 

5i 

5i 



8 



Index. 



Candidates, not more than five to receive either degree 
at one Communication ..... 

Capitation tax ....... 

Carpet, Master's, definition of ... . 

Celebration of Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist 
Ceremonies, expenses of certain, by whom paid . 
Chair of a Lodge, service as Warden a qualification for 
Chairman of committees of Grand Lodge, duties of 
Change of subject-matter by new motion not allowed 
Chaplain, Grand, appointed by Grand Master 

who may be installed as proxy for 
duties of .... . 

jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
of a Lodge, jewel of ... 
Charges, when may be examined ex parte 
where and how examined 

Charity Fund, Grand 

Charter for new Lodge, on what conditions granted 

fee for .... 
by whom issued 
revoked 
suspended . 
forfeiture of 
revocation of 
surrender of 

conditions of restoration of 
in special charge of Master 
must be present whenever Lodge is opened 
prescribes place of Communication . 
when to be returned . . . 
may be revoked for refusal to obey summons 

produce books 
and papers 
right of visiting Brother to call for . 
from political government forbidden 



. 10, 
10, 3o> 



Page 

54 
73 
66 

9 
67,68 

59 
38 
62 

21 

14- 

21 

39 
76 

4i 
33 
33 

25 

28 
28 
IO 
IO 
IO 

30.31 

31, 46 

30, 31 

30 

58 

58 

44 
45 
46 

46 

58 
60 



Index, 9 

Page 
Charter from political government forfeits Masonic 

Charter ......... 60 

Clandestine Mason, who to be deemed ... 51 

not allowed to visit any Lodge . 51 
Craft forbidden to hold Masonic 

intercourse with . . . 51 

when may be healed ... 52 

Clothing, proper, necessary for admission to any Lodge 41 

Collar of Deputy Grand Master 39 

Grand Master ....... 39 

Junior Grand Warden 39 

officer of a Lodge ...... 41 

Senior Grand Warden 39 

Collars of the Grand Officers ...... 39 

Commission of proxy of a Lodge, form of . . 48 

when expires . . 48 

to be issued annually 48 
to whom issued . 47, 48 

Committee, Auditing, duties of 27 

Library 24 

may be ordered by Grand Lodge upon any 

motion or report ..... 63 

of Grand Lodge, power of . . . . 46 

Committees of Grand Lodge, by whom appointed . 37 

who eligible 3.7 

when to report . . 38 

who to be chairman of . 38 

duty of chairman of . 38 

expenses of, how paid . 38 
Communications, no Lodge to hold more than one in a 

day 54 

of Grand Lodge, when and where 

held . . 8 

how notified . 9, 18 
special, by whom 

called . . q 



IO 



Index. 



Communications of a Lodge, place of, limited 

when to be held 

may be omitted 
to Grand Lodge must be in decent 
and respectful language 
Commutation of capitation tax .... 

Conduct of members in Grand Lodge . 
a speaker in Grand Lodge . 
disorderly, in Grand Lodge, how punished 
Conferring degrees, order limiting 

objection to, who may make . 
when to be made 
how to be treated . 
in absence of Master and Wardens 
forbidden .... 

either degree on more than five candidate 
at one Communication forbidden . 
Consent, what, required for initiation in town other 

than residence 
before advancing candidate 
admitted in another 
State . 
Constitution of new Lodge, by whom performed . 

expense of, by whom paid . 

Constitutions, repeal or amendment of, restrictions 

upon ....... 

amendments to, must be borne on noti- 
fications ...... 

Corporation, style and title of 

Clerk of, by whom appointed . 

seal of ....... 

Corresponding Grand Secretary, duties of . . . 

who eligible to office 

of 
jewel of 



Page 

45 
58 
58 

73 

62 

$3 
67 

54 
54 
54 

54 

54 

53 



54 
29 

68 

59 

69 

5 
6 
6 

!9 

11 

39 



Index. 1 1 

Page 
Corresponding Grand Secretary, station of in Grand 

Lodge 75 

Counsel for accused Brother must be a Mason . . 34 

Deacons, Grand, duties of ...... 22 

Deacon, Grand, jewel of 39 

Junior, station of, in Grand Lodge . 76 

Senior, " " * " " 76 

of a Lodge, jewel of . . . . . 41 
Death of certain Grand Officers, proceedings in case 

of 12 

Debate in Grand Lodge, rules governing . . . 61, 62 

not allowed after question is 

put by Grand Master . 62 

Debt on the Temple, how to be paid . . . 73 
faith of the Fraternity pledged to 

P a y 74 

Declaration by Grand Officers before installation, form 

of 14 

Declination of certain Grand Officers, proceeding in 

case of 12 

Dedication of new halls, expenses of, by whom paid . 68 

Definitions ......... 64 

Definition of " Ample Form " 64 

" In Due Form" 64 

"In Form" 64 

"Discharged Member" .... 64 

"Suspension" 64 

"Expulsion" 64 

"Summons" 65 

"Notifications" 65 

"The Lodge" 66 

"The Flooring" 66 

"The Master's Carpet" .... 66 

" The Trestle Board " .... 66 

" The Tracing Board " ... 66 



12 



Index. 



Deformity, physical, how far a bar to admission to the 
Fraternity ........ 

Degree, objection to conferring a, who may make 

when to be made 
how to be treated 
never to be conferred on more than five at one 
Communication ..... 

what business to be transacted in Lodge, open 
on each ...... 

Degrees, form of petition for ..... 

petition for, must be presented at stated 

monthly Communication . 
dispensation for, when required . . 50 
petition for, to what Lodge to be presented 
not to be conferred in absence of Master and 
Wardens ...... 

order limiting the conferring . 

fee for 

to be paid in cash .... 
Delegating right to vote in Grand Lodge not allowed 
Deputy Grand Master, who eligible to office of 

by whom to be installed 
may install appointed Grand 

Officers 
who may be installed as proxy 

for .... 

duties of ... 
powers of . 
when may call meetings of Grand 

Officers 
when may call special Commu 

nication 
when to be Grand Master ex 

officio .... 
jewel of ... 



Page 

53 
54 
54 
54 

54 

56 
49 

5o 

53»67 

53 

54 
67 

54 
54 
13 
11 

H 
H 

16 
i6,57 

16 

16 

16 
38 



Index. 1 3 

Pago 

Deputy Grand Master, collar of 39 

apron of 40 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 75 

Masters, Past, station of, in Grand Lodge 75 

jewel of . . . . 39 

District, duties of . . 20, 44, 56 
who eligible to office of 11 
when to visit Lodges . 20 
may grant dispensa- 
tions ... 20 
expenses of, what and 

how paid . . 21, 67 
receipt of, to Grand 

Treasurer . . 21 
station of in Grand 

Lodge ... 75 

Diplomas, how furnished ...... 47 

Past Master's, upon whom to be conferred . 56 

when to be conferred . . $6 

by whom to be conferred . 56 

Discharged Member, definition of . . . . . 64 

Discourse, private, forbidden in Grand Lodge . . 63 
Discussions, political, forbidden in a Lodge ... 58 
Disorderly behavior in Grand Lodge, how punished . 63 
Dispensation, Lodge under, not entitled to represen- 
tation in Grand Lodge ... 30 
for the degrees, when required . 50, $3, 67 
required for Masonic funeral in certain 

cases .... 57 

conferring more than one 

degree on same day . 67 
conferring degrees at less 

interval than one month 67 
for new Lodge, by whom issued . . 10, 28 

revoked . . 10 



14 



Index, 



Dispensation for new Lodge, by whom suspended 

granted 
to whom issued 
form of petition for 
fee for 

Disqualification to visit or join any other Lodge 

Districts, Lodges to be formed into 

District Deputy Grand Master, who eligible to office of 



Page 

10 

10, 28 

28 
29 
28 
31 
43 
11 



duties of 
jewel of. 
powers of 
station of, in 



20, 43, 46, 56 
. . 38 
. 20, 44, 

Grand 



57 



Lodge 
Division of funds of a Lodge, how punished 

question may be called for in Grand Lodge 
Dress in Grand Lodge ....... 

Dues, annual, to Grand Lodge . . . . . 46, 73 

non-payment of, penalty 
for .... 

to a Lodge, non-payment of, highest penalty for 

bars admission to 
any other until 
paid . 
payment of, Secretary's receipt suf- 
ficient evidence of 
Due form, definition of . 
Duty of a Lodge in regard to candidates 
Master of a Lodsre . 



75 
31 
62 

38 



70 
36 



56 



Warden of a Lodge 
Duties of Auditing Committee 



Board of Directors 

Chairmen of Committees of Grand Lodge 
Deputy Grand Master 
District Deputy Grand Master 
Grand Chaplain 
Deacons 



56 
64 

53 
46 
46 

27 

74 
33 
16 
20, 44, 46, 56 
21 
22 



sed without permis 



Index. 

Duties of Grand Lecturers 
Marshal 
Officers 
Pursuivants . 
Secretary, Recording . 

Corresponding 
Stewards 
Sword-Bearer 
Treasurer 
Tyler . . 
Wardens 
Lodges 
Egress from Grand Lodge not allov 

sion of Grand Master ..... 

Elected officer not to act until installed . 
Election of Grand Officers, time and manner of . 

successors of, in case of va 
cane j . 
Recording Grand Secretary, time and man 
ner of ..... 

Grand Treasurer, time and manner of 
Wardens " " " " 

Elective Officers, by whom to be installed 
Eligible, who, to certain offices .... 

an office in Grand Lodge . 

Eligibility of certain Grand Officers, limit to 

Entered Apprentice's Lodge, what business to be done in 

Examination of charges, when, where and how to be 

made .......... 

Excuse, Lodge may, a member from voting, on an 
application ....... 

Expenses of Committees of Grand Lodge, how paid 
constituting Lodges, by whom paid . 
dedicating halls " " " . 

D.D.G. Masters, what and how paid . 
installing officers, by whom paid 



15 

Page 

23 

21 

15 
23 

18,51 

19 

22 

23 

i7> 74 
24 

17 
44> 53 

t>3 
15 
11 

12 

12 
12 

12 

H 
11 
11 
11 
56 

33 

52 
38 
63 
68 
21, 68 
68 



i6 



Index. 



Page 

Expenses of Quarterly meetings of Grand Lecturers, 

how paid ......... 69 

Expulsion, definition of the term ..... 64 

when may be inflicted ..... 59 

from the rights and privileges of Masonry, 

power of, in Grand Lodge alone . . 10 

cause for ....... 31 

proceedings in case of . . . . . 32 

sentence of, must be confirmed by Grand 

Lodge 34 

from rights and privileges of Masonry, not 

by Lodge ..... 36 
other Masonic Bodies not to affect rela- 
tions to Lodge 35 
Fee, annual, due from a Lodge to Grand Lodge . . 46 

for Charter 28 

Dispensation for new Lodge .... 28 

each initiate, to be paid to Grand Lodge . . 46 

the degrees ....... 54 

must be paid in cash ... 54 

Visitors', required of non-affiliated Masons . . 73 

Fellow Craft's Lodge, what business to be done in . 56 
Finances of Grand Lodge, Grand Master requested to 

report annually ....... 68 

Flooring, the, definition of ...... 66 

Forfeiture of Charters ....... 30 

for neglect to make annual returns 44 
holding Communications in 
place other than named in 

Charter .... 45 

Masonic Charter by acceptance of Act of 

Incorporation ..... 60 

Form, In, definition of ....... 64 

Ample, definition of ..... 64 

Due " " 64 

of application for initiation ..... 49 



Index. 

Form of declaration of Grand Officers before installation 
letter appointing proxy in Grand Lodge . 
petition for Dispensation for new Lodge 
receipt from D.D.G. Master to Grand Treas- 
urer .... 
Fund, Grand Charity 

Sinking, of what composed . 
how collected . . 

by whom invested . 

pledged to payment of debt on Temple 
annual report on, required from Grand 
Treasurer 
Funds of a Lodge to be returned when Charter is re- 
voked or surrendered .... 
Funeral, Masonic, when allowed . 
Gauntlets of Grand Officers .... 
Government of Grand Lodge, rules for . 
Grand Chaplains appointed by Grand Master 
duties of ... 
jewel of ... 
station of, in Grand Lodge 

Charity Fund 

Deacons, duties of ... . 
jewel of .... 

Deacon, Junior, station of, in Grand Lodge 

Senior, " " " " " 

Lecturers, duties of .... 
station of, in Grand Lodge 
jewel of .... 
authorized to hold Quarterly Meet 

ings 

expenses of Quarterly Meetings of, 

how paid ..... 69 

Lodge, powers of 10, 36 

government of, rules for .... 61 
opening of, who to be present at . 61 



17 

Page 

H 

48 
29 

21 

25 

73 

73 
74 
74 

74 

30 

57 
40 
61 
21 
21 

39 
76 

25 
22 

39 
76 

76 

23 
76 

39 
69 



Index. 



Grand Lodge, who admitted as visitors in 
seats in, not to be changed 
right of voting in 

each Lodge entitled to three votes in 
dues to be paid by a Lodge 
number of speeches on same question 
allowed in . 
Marshal, duties of .... 
jewel of . 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 
Master, who eligible to office of . 

time and manner of election of 
by whom to be installed . 
may be installed by proxy 
powers and prerogatives of, . 15, 41 

45, 46, 52, 
may convene any Lodge . 

suspend a Brother or a Lodge 
collar of . 

jewel of . . ... 
apron of . . . . . 
death, declination, or resignation 

proceedings in case of 
election of successor to, in case of va 

cancy ...... 

to appoint certain Grand Officers . 
power of, over Lodge of instruction 

Districts . 
may authorize a Lodge to meet in place 

other than that named in Charter 
permission of, in what case required for 

initiation .... 
votes of, in Grand Lodge . 
station of, in Grand Lodge 
who to succeed in case of death of 

resignation of 



Page 
61 
61 
61 
48 
46, 73 



62 
21 

39 
76 
11 
11 
13 
13 

43, 44, 

57, 61, 67 
15 
15 
39 
38 
40 



of, 



12, 16 

12 
12 

42 

43 

45 

50, 5i 
61 

75 
16 
16 



Index. 19 

Page 

Grand Master, Deputy, by whom to be installed . . 14 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 75 

collar of ..... 39 

jewel of ..... 38 

apron of ..... 40 
District Deputy, powers and duties of, 20, 

43»44> 46, 56, 57 
station of, in Grand 

Lodge ... 75 

when to visit Lodges . 20 

jewel of ... 39 

Past, jewel of . . . . . . 39 

station of, in Grand Lodge . . 75 

Deputy, jewel of . . . . 39 

station of, in Grand Lodge 75 

Officers, when to be installed .... 13 

number of votes may cast . . . 12 

who elected and who appointed . . 12 

rank and titles of 8 

qualifications of . . . . 11 
installation of ..... 9 
death, declination, disability, or resigna- 
tion of, proceedings in case of . 12 
appointed, may be installed by Deputy 

Grand Master ..... 14 

declaration of, before installation . . 14 

duties of 15 

powers of ...... 15 

collars of ...... 39 

jewels of. 38 

aprons of ...... 40 

gauntlets of ...... 40 

stations of, in Grand Lodge ... 75 

Organist, station of, in Grand Lodge ... 76 

jewel of ...... 39 

Pursuivants, station and duties of 23, 76 



20 



Index, 



Grand Pursuivants, jewel of 

Secretary, Corresponding, duties of . 

station of, in Grand 

Lodge . 
jewel of 
Recording, time and manner of elec- 
tion of 
death, declination, disabil- 
ity, or resignation of, 
proceedings in case of 
election of successor to . 
duties of . . . 18, 
station of, in Grand Lodge 
jewel of . . - . 

to notify all Lodges of 
cases of healing 
Standard-Bearer, jewel of . 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
Grand Stewards, duties of . 
jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
Sword-Bearer, rank and duties of 

jewel of .... 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 

Treasurer, duties of 

to give bonds .... 
jewel of .... . 
station of, in Grand Lodge 
time and manner of election of 
election of successor to 
death, declination, disability, or resig- 
nation of, proceedings in case 

of 

Tyler, duties of ...... 

jewel of ...... 

station of, in Grand Lodge 



Page 
39 
*9 

75 
39 

ii 



12 
12 

52, 69 

75 
39 

5i 

39 
76 

22 

39 
76 

23 

39 
76 

i7, 74 
i7 
39 
75 
11 
12 



12 
24 

39 
76 



Index. 



21 



Grand Warden, death, declination or resignation of, 
proceedings in case of . 
Junior, station of, in Grand Lodge 

in absence of, who to wear jewel 
Past, jewel of. 

Senior, station of, in Grand Lodge 
Wardens, limit to eligibility of . 

time and manner of election of . 
election of successor to 
duties of .... 

collars of .... 

Past, station of, in Grand Lodge 
in absence of all, who to act 
Halls, expenses of dedication of, by whom paid . 
Healing, notice of, to be communicated to all Lodges 
Hindrance to admission to the Fraternity, what consti 
tutes a ....... 

Incorporation, Act of ..... . 

by political government forbidden . 

Initiation of candidates 

conditions to be fulfilled before 
how far barred by physical de 

formity 
application for, how made . 

to what Lodge to 

be made 
form of 
when permitted in town other 

than of residence 
unanimous vote required for 
rejected, preliminaries requisite 

to 

Initiate fee to be paid Grand Lodge 
Installation of Deputy Grand Master, by whom con 
ducted ..... 



Pasre 



12 



75 
16 

39 

75 

12 
II 

12 

16 

39 

75 
i7 
68 

52 

53 

3 

6o 

49 
5°> 5i 

53 

49 

53 
49 

53 

52 

5o 

46 

H 






22 



Index. 



of 



Installation of elective Grand Officers by whom con 
ducted ..... 
Grand Master, by whom conducted 
may be by proxy . 
Officers .... 
Installing officers of a Lodge, expenses of, by whom paid 
Instruction, Lodge of . ~ . 

who answerable for proceedings 
of a . . . , . 
responsible for mode 

working . 

may be members of a . 

must keep a record of proceedings 

officers 

visitors 

power of Grand Master over 

Lodge petitioning may demand 

records of 

of Lodges, upon whom devolves 

Instruct representatives in Grand Lodge, right to 

Interference in concerns of another Lodge forbidden 

Interruption of a speaker in Grand Lodge forbidden 

Itinerant Mason, certificate not to be given to 

Jewels of Grand Officers . ... . 

a Lodge 

Jewel, what, to be worn by presiding officer other than 
Grand Master ..... 

of D.D.G. Master, how different from those of 
other Grand Officers 
Corresponding Grand Secretary 
Deputy Grand Master .... 

District Deputy Grand Master 

Grand Chaplain ..... 

Deacon ...... 

Lecturer . . . 

Marshal . 



Page 



Index. 



23 



_ 










Page 


Jewel of Grand Master 38 


Organist 










39 


Pursuivant 










39 


Standard-Bearer 










39 


Steward . 










39 


Sword-Bearer . 










39 


Treasurer 










39 


Tyler . . 










39 


Junior Grand Warden 










39 


Past Deputy Grand Mastei 










39 


Grand Master 










39 


Warden . 










39 


Recording Grand Secretar 


f 








39 


Senior Grand Warden 










39 


an officer of a Lodge . 










41 


Chaplain " " 










41 


Deacon " , " 










41 


Junior Warden of a Lodge 










4i 


Marshal " " . 










4i 


Master " " 










4i 


Organist " " 










4i 


Past Master " " 










4i 


Secretary " . " 










4i 


Senior Warden " " 










4i 


Steward " " 










4i 


Treasurer " " 










4i 


Tyler li " , 










4i 


requisite to entitle to vote in Grand Lodge 


4i 


Joining another Lodge, right of, for what cause sus- 




pended ......... 


3i 


Junior Grand Deacon, station of, in Grand Lodge 


76 


Warden " " " u 


75 


Jurisdiction of Lodges not affected by municipal changes 45 


Language in Grand Lodge to be decent and respectful 63 


Lecturers, Grand, duties of ...... 23 


jewels of 


. 


. 


. 


. 


39 



24 



Index. 



Lecturers, Grand, station of, in Grand Lodge 

authorized to hold Quarterly Me,et 

ings 

expenses of Quarterly Meetings of, 
how paid .... 

Lectures, system of, by whom established 

not sanctioned by Grand Lodge prohibited 
Letter appointing proxy in Grand Lodge, form of 
Library committee, when and by whom appointed 
Lodge, Dispensation for new, form of petition for 

fee for 
by whom issued 

suspended 
revoked . 
under, not entitled to representa 
tion in Grand Lodge 
Charter for new, on what conditions granted 
fee for .... 

by whom issued 

suspended 
revoked . 
of a, in special charge of Master . 

must be present whenever Lodge 
is opened 
new, by whom to be constituted 
jewels of officers of a ..... 

powers and duties of a . . . 43, 45 

rights of a . 

Communications of, when to be held . 

may be omitted 
when opened Charter to be present . 
membership in only one, permitted . 
only one office in a, permitted to be held . 
right to visit a, restricted in case of unaffiliated 
Masons ....... 

By-Laws of, cannot be suspended 



Page 

76 
69 
69 

10 

57 
48 

2 4 
29 

28 

10, 28 

10 

10 

30 
28 
28 
10, 28 
10 
10 
58 

58 
29 

4i 

53, 56 
43 
58 
58 

. 58 
58 
53 

53 
59 



Index. 

Lodge, business of another, not to be interfered with . 

duties of a 43, 53, 

duty of, in regard to candidates . 

Master of, how tried ..... 

removal of, requisites of petition for . 

must be sanctioned by D.D.G. Mas 
ter .... 
approved by Lodge nearest 
new location 
to meet only in place named in Charter 
warrant of a, what power can destroy 

in whom vests in certain cases 
every, should be represented in Grand Lodge 
only one, can be represented in Grand Lodge 

bv a Brother at one time 
every, entitled to three votes in Grand Lodge 
limited to one Communication in a day 
of Entered Apprentices, what business to be 

done in 

Fellow Craft, what business to be done in 
Master Masons, what business to be done 
in ...... . 



Master of a, has special charge of Charter 
duty of .... . 
towards D.D.G. Master 

Wardens of a, duty of 

Proxy of a, who may be 

form of letter appointing 
how commissioned . 
rights of . 
cannot vote when Master or 

den is present . 
to be appointed annually 
can represent only one Lodge 
when commission expires 

The, definition of the term . 



43 



War 



25 

Page 

59 

56,57 

53 
35 
44 

44 

44 

45 

45 
45 

47 

48 
48 
54 

56 
56 

56 

58 

46,58 

43 

46 

47 
48 

47 
47 

47 
48 
48 
48 
66 



26 Index, 

Page 
Lodge, Grand, dues, what paid by a Lodge . . . 46, 73 
every Lodge entitled to three votes in . 48 
opening of, who to be present at . . 61 
who admitted as visitors in . . . 61 
seats in, not to be changed ... 61 
right of voting in ..... 61 

rules for government of . . . . 61 

number of speeches on same question 

allowed in ..... 62 

Lodges shall be formed into Districts .... 43 

by whom . . 43 

returns of, when to be transmitted ... 20 

items of ..... . 44, 73 

to whom made .... 44, 73 

penalty for neglect to make . . 44 

expenses of constituting, by whom paid . . 68 

installing officers of, by whom paid 68 



instruction of, upon whom devolves 

of instruction 

who answerable for proceedings 

of ... . 

responsible for mode of 

working . 

who may be members of 



must keep a record of proceeding 42 



visitors 
officers 
power of Grand Master over 
Lodges petitioning may demand 
records of . . . 
Majority of members of a Lodge may instruct represent 

atives in Grand Lodge ..... 
Majority of members of a Lodge, proceedings when 
determine to leave Institution or Lodge . 

Marshal, Grand, duties of 

jewel of . . . . . 



46 
4i 

42 

42 
42 



42 
42 
42 

42 
45 

45 
21 

39 



Index. 



2J 



Marshal, Grand, station of, in Grand Lodge . 

of a Lodge, jewel of .... 

Mason, clandestine, who to be deemed . 

not allowed to visit any Lodge 
Craft forbidden to hold Masonic 
intercourse with 
Master, apron of ... . 
Masonic trials, how provided for . 

may be conducted by a Lodge 
proceedings in, maybe revised by Grand 

Lodge 

Commissioners of . 
Masons, unaffiliated, restricted in visiting a Lodge 
Master's Carpet, definition of the term . 
Master, Grand, who eligible to office of . 
limit to eligibility of 
time and manner of election of 
proceedings in case of death, declina 

tion, or resignation of . 
election of successor to . . 
to appoint certain Grand Officers . 
by whom to be installed 
may be installed by proxy 
powers and prerogatives of, 



58, 



Page 
76 

41 
51 
51 

51 
40 

32 

34 

34 
32 

73 
66 
11 
12 
11 

12 
12 
12 
13 
13 



i3» *5» 4i> 43> 
44, 5i> 57. 6 4 
i5 



may convene any Lodge 

suspend a Brother or a Lodge 
who to succeed in case of death or res 

ignation of ... 
permission of, when required for ini 

tiation ..... 
votes of, in Grand Lodge 
power of, over Lodge of Instruction 

Districts 
may authorize Lodge to meet in place 

other than that named in Charter . 



5i: 



15 
16 

54 
61 
42 
43 

44 



28 



Index, 



20 



Master, Grand, collar of . 

apron of . . . 
jewel of . 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 
Deputy, station of, in Grand Lodg 
by whom to be installed 
apron of . 
collar of . 
jewel of 
District Deputy, duties of, 

when to visit Lodges 
station of, in Grand 

Lodge . 
powers of, . 20, 44 
Mason, apron of ..... 

Mason's Lodge, what business to be done in 
Masons only to be admitted to membership in 

a Lodge ..... 
of a Lodge, duty of .... 
powers of 
jewel of . 

shall have served as Warden 
when entitled to Past Master' 

Diploma .... 
has special charge of Charter 
must see that Charter is carefully 

preserved ... 

duty of, to D.D.G. Master . 
trial of 

by whom may be impeached . 
delinquent, may be suspended 
summoned for trial before Com 

missioners 
refusal of, to obey summons, pen 
alty for .... 



43 



Page 

39 
40 

38 

75 
75 
H 
40 

39 

38 

43. 56 

20 

75 

46, 57 

40 

56 

& 

46, 58 
58 
4i 
59 

56 

58 

58 
43 
35 
35 
35 

35 
46 



Index. 29 

Page 
Master of a Lodge, refusal of to produce Charter, books 

or papers ......... 46 

Masters, Past, only eligible to certain offices in Grand 

Lodge 11 

when may preside in Grand Lodge . 17 

act as Grand Warden . . 17 
Deputy Grand, station of, in Grand 

Lodge ... 75 

jewel of ... 39 

Grand, station of, in Grand Lodge . 75 

jewel of . . . ^ . . 39 

Meetings of Grand Officers, by whom called . . 16 

irregular if not approved 

by Grand Master . 16 
Member, Discharged, definition of the term ... 64 
right of sitting, to object to admission of vis- 
itor ........ 69 

Members of a Lodge must be Master Masons . . 56 

Grand Lodge, rank and titles of . . 8 
permanent, number of votes 

to be cast by. . . 13 
Membership in a Lodge not regained by restoration to 

Masonry ...... 37 

not allowed to a Brother in arrears to 

another Lodge ..... 56 

permitted in only one Lodge at a time . 58 

not necessarily terminated by removal . 58 
Motion in possession of Grand Lodge when stated by 

Grand Master ...... 62 

may be withdrawn by mover before amendment 

or decision ....... 62 

any, may be referred to committee by Grand 

Lodge 63 

Motions in Grand Lodge must be in decent and respect- 
ful language ... 63 
order of precedence of . . 62 



30 



Index, 



Motions in Grand Lodge must be in writing if desired 
Neglect to make annual returns, penalty for . 
New Lodge, by whom constituted ..... 
Non-affiliated Masons required to pay a visitor's fee 
Non-payment of dues by a Lodge, penalty for 

to a Lodge, highest penalty for 
excludes from membership in 
another Lodge 
Notice of healing in certain cases to be sent to all the 

Lodges 

Notification, definition of the term 
Notifications, requirements in regard to 

of Grand Lodge Communications to con 
tain amendments to Constitutions 
Special Communications, when re 
quired ..... 

Objection to conferring a degree, who may make . 

when to be made 
how to be treated 
Obligation, official, of Grand Officers . 
Offence against the regulations, how punished 
Offences against rules of order in Grand Lodge 
punished ....... 

Office, only one, to be held in Lodge at a time 
Officer, no, elected, to act until duly installed 
Officers, Grand, rank and titles of . 
qualifications of . 
installation of 

who elected and who appointed 
when to be installed 
elective, by whom to be installed 
appointed, maybe installed by Deputy 

Grand Master 
declaration, or obligation of, before 
installation .... 

when installed to be proclaimed . 



how 



Page 
61 

44 
29 

73 
70 

36 

56 

52 

65 

50, 54 

69 

67 

54 
54 
54 

59 

63 

58 

15 

8 
11 

9 
12 

13 
H 

14 

H 
14 






Index. 

Officers, Grand, to retain stations until successors are 
installed 
duties of 
powers of 
jewels of 
collars of 
aprons of 
gauntlets of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
proceedings in case of death of 

declination of 
resignation of 
certain, not to be Masters or Wardens 

of a Lodge 
number of votes to be cast by 
of a Lodge, expenses of installing, by whom 
paid . . 
Opening of Grand Lodge, who to be present at . 
a Lodge, Charter must be present at . 
Order of motions in Grand Lodge .... 

violations of, in Grand Lodge, how punished 
Orders, standing, now in force .... 
Organist, Grand, jewel of .... . 
station of, in Grand Lodge 
of a Lodge, jewel of ... 
Passing a candidate initiated in another State, when 

permitted ..... 
Past Deputy Grand Master, jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
Grand Masters, station of, in Grand Lodge 
jewels of 
Warden, jewel of . 

station of, in Grand Lodge 

Master of a Lodge, jewel of . 

Master's Diploma, upon whom, by whom and when 

to be conferred 



31 

Page 

H 
15 
15 
38 

39 

40 

40 

75 
12 
12 
12 

11 
13 

68 
61 

53 
62 

63 

7-74 

39 

76 

4i 

53 
39 

75 
75 
38 
33 
75 
4i 

56 



32 



Index, 



Past Masters only eligible to certain offices . 
when may act as Grand Wardens 
preside in Grand Lodge 
Pauper, certificate to travel as a, not to be given 
Payment of dues, how certified 
Penalty for neglect to make annual returns . 

holding Communications of Lodge inothe 

place than that named in Charter 
refusing to comply with summons 

produce Charter, books, and 
papers . 

recommending rejected candidate in certain 
case ....... 

assisting at initiation of rejected candidate 
in certain case .... 

refusing to surrender property of a Lodge 
voting to divide property of a Lodge, . 
assisting at Work of suspended Lodge 
violation of rules of conduct in Grand 
Lodge ...... 

for offending against the regulations . 
Permanent members, number of votes to be cast by 
Permission of Grand Master for initiation, in what case 
required ........ 

Petition for Dispensation for new Lodge, requisites of 

form of. 
removal of a Lodge, requisites of 
initiation, form of ... . 

to what Lodge to be presented 
every member present shall vote 
on, unless excused 
to Grand Lodge must be in decent and respect 

ful language 

Physical deformity, how far a bar to admission to the 
Fraternity ....... 



Page 
II 

17 
17 

57 

56 

44> 7o 

45 
46 

46 
5i 

5i 
3i 
3i 
3i 

63 
59 
13 

5*> 52 
28 
29 

44 
49 

53 

52 
63 
53 



Index. 3 3 

Page 
Political topics not to be introduced for discussion in a 

Lodge 5S 

Powers of the Grand Lodge 10, 36 

and prerogatives of the Grand Master . 12, 15, 41, 

43, 44, 45, 5i, 57, 61, 67 



of Deputy Grand Master . 

the Board of Directors .... 
District Deputy Grand Master, 20, 43, 44, 46 
Committee of Grand Lodge . 
Grand Officers ..... 

Lodges 

Master of a Lodge .... 

Precedence of motions in Grand Lodge 
Preside, who shall, in Grand Lodge, in the absence of 
certain officers ....... 

Presiding officer other than Grand Master, what jewe 

he shall wear . . . 
Private discourse in Grand Lodge forbidden . 
Processions, public, prohibited except in certain cases 
Proclamation of Grand Officers to be made by Grand 

Marshal 

Property of a Lodge, all to be returned when Charter 

is surrendered or revoked .... 

Proposition for the degrees, requisites of 

form of . . 
preliminaries to 
every member shall vote 

on, unless excused 

unanimous ballot required 

to accept 

Propositions in Grand Lodge to be in decent and 

respectful language . . . . 
Proxy, Grand Master may be installed by 

who may be installed as, for Grand Master 

Deputy Grand Mas 
ter . 



16, 57 

7 

56,57 

46 

15 

53 
58 
62 



43 s 



17 
17 

57 

H 

30 

49, 5o 

49 

5o 

52 

52 

63 
13 
H 

14 



34 



Index. 



Page 

Proxy, who may be installed as, for Grand Warden . 14 

Treasurer . » 14 
Recording Grand 

Secretary . 14 

any other officer . 14 

of a Lodge, form of letter appointing . . 48 

to be commissioned annually - . 48 

when commission expires . . 48 

can represent only one Lodge at a 

time 48 

who may be 47 

how commissioned .... 47 

rights of 47 

cannot vote when Master or War- 
den is present .... 47 
Proxies, who may be installed as, for certain Grand 

Officers 14 

Pursuivants, Grand, jewel of. ..... 39 

station of . . . 23, 76 

duties of . . . . . 23 

Qualifications of Grand Officers . . . . . 11 

Question, division of, may be called for in Grand Lodge 62 
limit to speeches upon same, in Grand 

Lodge 62 

Raising a candidate passed in another State, when 

allowed . . . . . . . . 53 

Rank of Grand Sword-Bearer 23 

Members of Grand Lodge .... 8 

Officers " " "..... 8 

Receipt given byD.D.G. Master to Grand Treasurer, 

form of . . . . . . . . 21 

Recommendation required for initiation in town other 

than that of residence . . 53 
what required before initiation of 

rejected candidate ... 49 



Index. 

Reconsideration of a vote, when and on what condi- 
tions allowed ■ . 

Recording Grand Secretary, duties of . 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
to notify Lodges of cases 
of healing . 
Records of Grand Lodge, original, to be in custody of 
Corresponding Grand Secretary . 
a Lodge to be returned when Charter is 
surrendered or revoked 
must be approved by Grand 
Lodge before Charter issues. 
Refusal of Master or Wardens to comply with sum- 
mons 
produce Charters, 



books, 
pers 



or pa- 



to surrender property of a Lodge when Char 
ter is forfeited, how punished 
Regalia of Grand Lodge .,..., 
a Lodge ....... 

to be returned when Charter is sur 
rendered or revoked . 
Regulations, permanent, how to be altered or amended 
Rejected applicant, when to be deemed a clandestine 

Mason .... 

on what conditions may be inl 

tiated in another Lodge 
admitted in another jurisdiction 

standing of 
permission of Grand Master re- 
quired for admission of, in 
another State . 
when, requires to be healed . 
Rejection of candidate, when to be communicated to 
Grand Lodge 



35 

Page 
59 

18, 52 

75 

52 
19 
30 

28 
46 

46 

3i 

4i 

30 
59 

5i 

49 

5i 



5i 

52 

5i 



36 Index. 

Page 
Rejection of candidate, when to be communicated to 

D.D.G. Masters . . 51 

when to be communicated to 

Lodges . . . . 51 

Relief, certificate to enable to travel for, not to be given 57 
Removal does not authorize striking Brother's name 

from roll . . . . . . . 58 

of a Lodge, requisites of petition for . .44 
must be sanctioned by D.D.G. 

Master . . 44 

approved by Lodge 
nearest new loca- 
tion ... 44 
Repeal of Constitution, restrictions upon 59 
Report, any, may be referred to committee by Grand 

Lodge 63 

Representatives in Grand Lodge, by whom may be 

instructed ......... 45 

Residence, application in town other than that of, when 

permitted 53 

Resignation of certain Grand Officers, proceedings in 

case of . . . . . . . . 12 

Resolutions to be submitted in Grand Lodge in writing. 61 
in Grand Lodge to be in decent and re- 

pectful language . . c . . 63 

standing, now in force . . . . 67-74 

Restoration . 37 

of Charters, conditions of . . . . 30 

to Masonry does not restore to member- 
ship in a Lodge 37 
Return of Charter of Lodge required when number of 

members falls below seven ..... 45 

Returns, annual, of Lodges . . . . . . 44 

to whom made ... 44 
of what to consist . . 44 
penalty for neglect to make 44, 70 



Index. 3 7 

Page 
Returns, annual, of Lodges, when to be transmitted by 

D.D.G. Masters 20 

Revocation of Charters ....... 30 

power of, in Grand Lodge alone. 10 

Right of appeal to Grand Lodge 36 

visiting a Lodge defined and restricted . • 69 

Brother to call for Charter*. . . 58 

to instruct representatives in Grand Lodge . 45 

Rights of Lodges 43 

proxy of a Lodge ...... 47 

Rules for the government of the Grand Lodge . . 61 
Seal of a Lodge to be returned when Charter is surren- 
dered or revoked 30 

the Corporation 6 

to be kept and used by the Re- 
cording Grand Secretary . 6 
Seats in Grand Lodge not to be changed . . . 61 
Secretary, Corresponding Grand, who eligible to office 

of . . 11 
duties of . . .19 

jewel of . . 39 
station of, in Grand 

Lodge . . 75 

of a Lodge, jewel of 41 

Recording Grand, who eligible to office of . 11 
election of, time and man- 
ner of . . . 11 
who may be installed as 

proxy for . . . 14 
proceedings in case of 
death, resignation, 



declination, 


or disa- 






bility of . 


, 




12 


election of successor to 




12 


duties of . 


• 


18, 


52 


jewel of 


. 




39 



38 Index. 

Pago 

Secretary, Recording Grand, station of, in Grand Lodge 75 

to notify all the Lodges of 

cases of healing . 52 

Senior Grand Deacon, station of, in Grand Lodge '. 76 

Warden, " " " <• . 75 
Sentence of expulsion not to take effect until confirmed 

by Grand Lodge . . . " . ~ . ' : . 34 

Sinking Fund, of what composed 73 

how collected . . . . . . 73 

by whom invested . . ... 74 

pledged to payment of debt on Temple 76 
annual report on, required from Grand 

Treasurer . . . . . 76 

Sitting member, right of, to object to admission of visitor 69 
Sojourning Brother, any Lodge may take cognizance of 

conduct of 57 

Speak in Grand Lodge, right to, forfeited by certain 

offences 63 

Speaker in Grand Lodge, how to conduct himself . 62 

interruption of a, not allowed 62 
Speaking in Grand Lodge, limit to . . . .62 

Special Communication, restriction upon proceedings at 59 

of the Grand Lodge, who iriay 

call ..... 16 
of the Grand Lodge, how noti- 
fied . . . . . 18 

Standard-Bearer, jewel of 39 

station of, in Grand Lodge . . 76 
Standing votes, resolutions, and orders now in force . 67-74 

Stations of the Grand Officers, in the order of their rank 75 

viz : Grand Master . 75 

Deputy Grand Master 75 

Senior Grand Warden 75 

Junior Grand Warden 75 

Past Grand Masters . 75 



Index. 



39 



Stations of the Grand Officers, viz. : — 

Past Deputy Grand Mas- 
ters . 
Past Grand Wardens 
Grand Treasurer 
Recording Grand Sec 

retary 
Corresponding Grand 

Secretary . 
District Deputy Grand 

Masters . 
Grand Chaplains . 
Grand Marshal 
Grand Lecturers 
Senior Grand Deacon 
Junior Grand Deacon 
Grand Stewards 
Grand Sword-Bearer 
Grand Standard Bearer 
Grand Pursuivants 
Grand Organist 
Grand Tyler . 



Steward of a Lodge, jewel of 

Grand, duties of 

jewels of . . . 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 
St. John the Evangelist, anniversary of 
Subject-matter not to be totally changed by new motion 
Summons, definition of the term .... 
to accused Brother, when to be issued 

Surrender of Charters 

Suspension, definition of the term 
when may be inflicted 
of By-Laws not permitted . 
right of Brethren of Lodge under, to 
visit or join another Lodge 



Page 



75 
75 
75 

75 

75 

75 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 
76 

4i 

22 

39 
76 

9 
62 

65 
33 
30 
64 

59 
59 

3i 



40 



Index, 



Suspension, proceedings in case of . . . 

from other Masonic Bodies, not to affect 

relations to Lodge 
from Masonry not to be inflicted by Lodge 
Sword-Bearer, Grand, station of, in Grand Lodge 

rank and duties of 
jewel of ... 
Tax, capitation ....... 

commutation of ... . 

Titles of members of Grand Lodge 

officers of " " ... 

Temple, debt on the, how to be paid 

faith of the Fraternity pledged to 
pay .... 

Topics, political, not to be introduced for discussion in 

a Lodge 

Tracing-Board, definition of the term . 
Treasurer, Grand, who eligible to office of . 

election of, time and manner of 
proceedings in case of death, decli- 
nation, disability, or resignation 

of 

election of successor to . 
who may be installed as proxy for 
duties of . . . . 
to give bonds .... 
jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
of a Lodge, jewel of 
Trestle-Board, definition of the term 
Trials, Masonic, how provided for . 

when optional with the Lodge . 
proceedings in, subject to revision by 

Grand Lodge .... 
Commissioners of 
Trustees of Grand Charity Fund . . . 



Page 
32-36 

35 
36 
76 

23 
39 
73 
73 
8 
8 
73 

74 

58 
66 
11 
11 



12 
12 

14 

*7>74 
17 
39 
75 
41 
66 

32 
34 

34 
32 

25 



Index. 



41 



Tyler, Grand, duties of 

jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
who may be installed as proxy for 
of a Lodge, jewel of ... 
Unaffiliated Masons restricted as to visiting Lodges 

required to pay a visitor's fee 
Unanimous vote required for admission to the Fra 
ternity ........ 

Uniformity of work essential . 

how promoted 

Violation of rules of order in Grand Lodge, how pun 

ished ......... 

Visit, members shall be deputed to, other Lodges 
Visiting a Lodge, right of, defined and restricted . 

for what cause suspended, 31 
any Lodge forbidden to a Clandestine Mason 
Brother, right of, to call for Charter 
right of, restricted in case of non-affiliated 
Masons ..... 

Visitor's fee required of non-affiliated Masons 
Visitors in Grand Lodge, who admitted 

to keep seats assigned 
Vote in Grand Lodge, limitations to right to 

right of Grand Master to 
every member must, unless ex- 
cused . 
no member allowed to, without 

his jewel 
who entitled to . 
every member present shall, on an application 
unless excused ...... 

reconsideration of, when and on what conditions 
allowed ....... 

unanimous, required for admission to the Order 
Votes in Grand Lodge, every Lodge entitled to three 



Pago 
24 
39 
76 

4i 

58 
73 

52 
46 
46 

63 

46 
69 
5i ? 58 
5i 
58 

58,73 
73 
61 
61 
61 
61 

62 

41 

8,41 

52 

59 

52 
48 



42 



Index. 



Votes in Grand Lodge, number of, to be cast by a mem 

ber 

standing, now in force . 
Voting on an application, Lodge may excuse a member 
from ....... 

in Grand Lodge, right of, cannot be delegated 
Warden, Grand, who eligible to office of 
limit to eligibility of . 
time and manner of election of . 
proceedings in case of death, declina- 
tion, or resignation of . 
who may be installed as proxy for 
duties of .... 

election of successor to 
collar of 

Junior, in absence of, who to wear jewel 
jewel of 

station of, in Grand Lodge 
Senior, " " " " 

jewel of 
Past, " " . 

station of, in Grand Lodge . 
who to act in absence of every 
of a Lodge, Junior, jewel of . 

Senior, " "... 
service as, shall precede election 

as Master 
duty of . . 
refusal to obey summons, penalty 
for . 
produce Charter, books 
or papers 
Warrant of a Lodge, what power can destroy 

in whom vests, in certain cases 
Witnesses, how to testify . . . , 



Page 
67-74 



Index. 43 

Page 

Work, system of, by whom established 10 

uniformity of, essential ..... 46 

how promoted .... 46 

Writing, motions and resolutions in Grand Lodge to be 

submitted in ........ 61 



